A Manual of the Nervous Diseases of Man (Volume 2)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 edition. Excerpt: ...pupil, Dr. Lewis, has figured in his dissertation1 is too complicated to answer the purpose well. At all events, the compression of the carotids and the regulation of the respiratory movements present us with a means by which we may more directly influence the brain than with any other. We have already drawn attention to the manner in which respiratory movements may be employed for the purposes of diagnosis.2 The case described at vol. II, p. 117, shows that deep inspirations may prevent the outbreak of convulsions; we may equally, therefore, expect benefit from the proper employment of compression. Anaemia more frequently demands our consideration in the treatment of epilepsy than plethora, more especially in the female sex, in whom it is often associated with disturbance of the uterine functions. In the month of December, in 18i7, a girl of 15 was under treatment at the Policlinique, who had formerly enjoyed excellent health, and had eight weeks previously been seized with her first attack of epilepsy. A fortnight before applying for relief a second fit had occurred, lasting half an hour, and preceded by violent gastrodynia. For several months the catamenia recurred every fortnight, and continued profuse for from three to four days; the complexion was excessively pale; on the 3d and 9th of January there was a return of the paroxysms. In order to diminish and to regulate the menstrual discharge, I ordered an infusion of sabina, (two drachms to four ounces, taken four times a day, ) which I found on previous occasions to produce excellent effects. After an interval of five days the usual aura occurred, followed by a paroxysm which only lasted five minutes, and after an interval of three weeks more the courses reappeared. On the 26th of..