EPILIPSY 119 



rectum are usually affected, as in inflammation of 

 the cord, and the paralyzed muscles do not react to 

 electrical stimuli. 



Treatment. — Treatment of apoplexy of the spinal 

 cord is fairly successful, but usually of long dura- 

 tion. In order to promote absorption of the ex- 

 travasated blood, potassium iodid to saturation 

 should be given and frequent fomentations applied 

 to the spine. The affected muscles should receive 

 electrical massages or friction with stimulating lini- 

 ments. The bowels must be kept freely active with 

 laxatives and enemas, and every attention given to 

 the comfort and cleanliness of the helpless patient. 



Epilepsy 



This is a chronic brain affection, with fits of dis- 

 turbed consciousness and sensation and accompany- 

 ing muscular spasms, between which are varying 

 intervals of freedom from symptoms. The condi- 

 tion is probably due to some fleeting disturbance in 

 the cells of the cerebral cortex and motor cortices 

 centers. Its essential causes are not known, but 

 there is ample evidence to establish the fact that it 

 is undoubtedly hereditary. In individuals predis- 

 posed to the disease sometimes an attack is brought 

 on by great excitement, sudden fright, or overexer- 

 tion. It is a comparatively rare disease in our 

 patients, although they frequently suffer from epi- 

 leptiform fits, which, however, can generally be ac- 

 counted for by injuries to the skull which produce 

 concussion of the brain either by depressed frac- 

 tures or blood clots, and give rise to epileptiform 

 seizures or fits. Fits are also caused by reflex action, 

 painful wounds of the extremities, or body, irrita- 

 tion of the alimentary mucous membrane by para- 

 sites, constipation, and by foreign bodies in the ali- 

 mentary tract. Overexertion during excessively hot 



