COMMON ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES 353 



511. Epilepsy, or Fits, is an alarming nervous attack at- 

 tended by unconsciousness and sometimes by foaming 

 at the mouth. It is a chronic affection, and has been 

 known from very early ages. Julius Caesar and Napoleon 

 Bonaparte are both said to have been epileptics. Little 

 can be done during the paroxysm except to loosen the 

 clothing and see that the sufferer does not harm himself. 

 A pad of cloth crowded between the teeth will prevent 

 biting of the tongue. 



512. Hysterical Fits occur oftenest in young women, and 

 usually follow emotional excitement. The patient laughs 

 and cries, sometimes drops to the floor, and disorderly, 

 almost convulsive movements may take place ; but the 

 tongue is never bitten, nor does the patient harm herself. 

 Dashes of cold water may cut short the attack. Calm, 

 firm, quiet remonstrance from a strong-minded friend 

 without much appearance of sympathy will be helpful. 



513. Convulsions in young children sometimes occur 

 during teething, and at the outset of some serious 

 diseases as scarlet fever and diphtheria. They may 

 also be a result of overeating or of deranged digestion. 

 If the muscles are not quickly relaxed by placing the 

 child in a warm bath, a physician should be called with- 

 out delay. 



514. Poisons. A poison is any substance which is capa- 

 ble, when taken into the body, of producing effects in- 

 jurious to health and life. Various substances in common 

 use in the household such as ammonia, lye, ratsbane, 

 carbolic acid and other disinfectants are poisons. Many 

 medicines (in sufficient quantities) are poisons, and all 

 medicines should be carefully labeled and used only at 

 such times and in such quantities as are prescribed by a 

 physician. 



