CONVULSIONS. 223 
had been taken, if death resulted it would be caused by the poison and not by 
the convulsive attack, which was merely a symptom. 
A simple epileptic convulsion or similar attack brought on by worms, indi- 
gestion, fear, or other derangement, does not require special treatment, because 
it will likely soon be over with; yet it is a wise precaution always to secure the 
victim, lest he be delirious, and run away after it has passed off. 
To cool the head by bathing with cold water, and keep the body and limbs 
warm by ample coverings or friction with the hands, —thus diverting the blood 
from the brain and lessening the temporary congestion therein, —are the sim- 
plest measures of treatment; and they can always be applied by those who 
choose to interfere. 
After the convulsion has ended, if the victim seems sluggish and disposed to 
sleep, he should be left to himself. 
One can rarely anticipate with anything like certainty whether or not a con- 
vulsive attack will soon be recovered from, — being unable to tell whether it is 
due to simple derangement or to poisoning, — therefore, in all cases, as soon as 
possible after the spasm has commenced, provisions should be made for serious 
trouble. 
The first step to be taken is to despatch a messenger to the nearest drug 
store for at least four ounces of ether. Also for a mixture of chloral hydrate, 
consisting of two drachms of the same in two ounces of water. 
As this mixture must be administered by injection, it will also be necessary 
to obtain of the druggist a glass syringe which will hold at least half an ounce. 
When a convulsion has lasted over five minutes, the caretaker should com- 
mence to administer the ether in the following manner: — 
First secure a piece of muslin or quite thin cloth,—a lady’s handkerchief 
will answer admirably, — and press the same to the bottom of a teacup. Now 
moisten it with ether, invert the cup, and hold it over the sufferer’s muzzle; let 
it remain there for about half a minute, then move it away a short distance, 
keep it away for a few seconds, and again apply it. Thus he will take a few 
whiffs of the ether, then a little fresh air, again the ether, and so on; whereas 
he might strangle were the ether administered too quickly. 
By keeping the cup always bottom upward the ether will not evaporate nearly 
as fast as it would were the dish right side up; but still it will be necessary to 
moisten the handkerchief with the anzsthetic every two or three minutes, since 
it passes off into the air so very quickly. 
Every case of convulsions can be stopped with ether if enough is given; and 
when given it should be pushed or persisted in until it does its work, and the 
convulsions cease or are subsiding rapidly. 
Having once stopped, only in desperate cases—as of poisoning or grave 
disease of the brain—are they likely to recommence as soon as the effects of 
the ether are wearing off. 
