Science.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 426, 23 June 1904, Page 7

Science.

CONVULSIONS. satfKHE seienfciSe name of this condition §*w% is ' eclampsia.' It is characterised by ranscElsr contractions carried cut independently of the will. These are dae to disturbance in the brain parts from which the Herves gping to the muscles concerned, take their origin. The causes of the brain disturbance are various. Somatomes there ia grave disease of the parts within the skull. This is quite beyond domestic treatment. The greater namber of cases owe their occurrence to one of three things: the irritation , of teething, the ttrritation of indigestion, and the irritation caused by worms. Cases like these can be treated by the parent without immediate recourse to professional aid. " Delay in teething gives rise to a chronic tenderness of the mouth, highly favourable to setting up eclampsia. In popular medicine there are many things employed as soothing agents, some being highly dangerous. Preparations of opium are in especial request, and are responsible for many deaths. Of late years the one-time universal fashion of lancing the gums has fallen into comparative disuse, but there can be little doubt that under the trying conditions of middle and working-class life this lancing is very desirable. It relieves the cutting tooth of much work, and, by pertially emptying the distended blood vessels assuages pain. When lancing is not approved we may give spirit of nitrous ether, either with water only, or ia combination with other drugs, as in the following formula: Spirit of nitrous ether, two and a half drachms; acetate of ammonia water, half an ounce} syrup of orange flowers, half an ounce; dill water, to rqake two ounces. A teaspoonful of thiß can be given four times daily to a child of one year. Hemlock juice is very valuable in its action, not only in regard to relieving the irritation within the mouth, but in warding off convulsions when they have appeared. Bat this is a remedy that needs very careful m&nangement. On the one hand fatal results may follow an overdose, and on the other the drug is useless unless it is steadily pushed until it is evident that no more can be borne. I tender the information as it may lead parents to request their, medical man to try the drag, should other agents have failed. When ire are dealing with children sufficiently advanced to use a mouth wash half the battle is won, for the repeated employment of hot water will relieve pain, hasten the tooth cutting, and keep the mouth healthy. When there is reason to suspect that indigestion is responsible for the convulsions, our first step may be the addition of lime water to the milk. Should this fail the milk must be peptonised by means of the powders sold for this purpose. If the child is of age to take farinaceous foods malt extraet should be given with its bread biscuit, or other cereal food. I cannot here Consider the full treatment of indigestion. Failure of the measures indicated should lead the parent to coafcuit a medical man. When we are sure that the convulsions arise from intestinal worms we must leara what kind of pawsite is present. 1 For round worms two grains of santonin

rubbed up with a little calomel may be gtron'to a child 'of two jears, while fasting, This should be followed by a dose of outor oil. A child of one year may take a smaller dose/ and a child "beyond two years may take a larger one than that stated. For pin (thread) worms the simplest remedy is the me of "salt and water by means of a syringe. It is not generally known that the eggs of these worms oan attach themselves to clothing, bidding, seats, and anything handled by the child, and may not only infeot him again and again with the parasite, bat may give it to othera. For tape worm one of'the best combinations is the following; liquid extract of male fern, one drachm i spirit of turpentine, thirty-five drops; one egg yolk; water and syrup to make three ouHces. Of this one-twelf th part is to be given for each year of li£e. There are by measure about twenty-four teaspoonfule in the three ounces. Two teaspoonfnls per year of age will be the correct dose, It should be given once only, and that while fasting. Food should be withheld for some hours, and the festivities be brought to a conclusion with a dose of castor oil.