Epilepsy : in what class of cases, and under what circumstances, may we reasonably hope for cure in epilepsy? / by William Camps.

  • Camps, William.
Date:
1866
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Epilepsy : in what class of cases, and under what circumstances, may we reasonably hope for cure in epilepsy? / by William Camps. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    fact, everything that produces undue elevation of temperature— venereal excesses, cold, standing upon precipices and lofty places, everytliing that may operate so as to produce fear, dread, fright, fatigue, uneasiness of mind, anxiety, and undue application to business. Could much, if anything, be added to such judicious comprehensive advice of the old Eoman physician ? A chief, leading, primary object to be attained in the success- ful treatment of epilepsy is to effect, if possible, the removal of those causes which determine, not only the formation of too much blood in the frame, but also, and what is even of far more importance, its too easy and rapid movement through the brain and upper portion of the spinal cord ; in other words, it is of the greatest importance, as far as possible, to regulate the circulation of the blood in the head. Those causes which are generally ad- mitted to favour the determination of blood to the brain and upper part of the spinal cord are its too rapid movement through these organs, and its obstructed circulation in some other part of the body—an obstruction produced, it may be, by some derange- ment of the natural secretions, it may be, by some imperfect action of the blood-vessels, retarding free circulation of the blood in the extremities; or, it may be, by spasm or irregular contrac- tion of the blood-vessels in one or more parts of the body other than in the extremities, for instance, in one or more of the mus- cular or visceral organs of the frame. Too much attention can scarcely be directed to secure the attainment of this most im- portant object, in all cases of epilepsy, whether symptomatic or idiopathic as to class. The limits of my present communication do not admit of much being said in detail on the important subject of treatment; yet, of aU kinds of remedies, none, in my judgment, will be found so persistently efficacious as a very particular attention to diet, which should be of the mildest, simplest, most unirritating de- scription, taken with great moderation at ordinary meals. This attention to diet I enjoin, cum omni imperio. In persons liable to attacks of epilepsy, it is striking how often these recur after weU- ascertained irregtdarities in regard to articles of diet; and in such jjersons it is as striking what heavy penalties they have to pay in the shape of paroxysms of the disease for partaking of compara- tivelycommon articlesof food, which do no harm to healthy persons. The two main objects of treatment must be—first, to allay or remove all sources of irritation; and secondly, to impart tone to the system. Tor the successful accompli.shment of these two chief necessary results, all the ai)pliances of our ait, medicinal and regimenal, mu.st be brouglit under tribute, and in many cases must be exertefl with much patience and perseverance. Of medicines, of drugs, we must most assuredly give the palm to the bromide of potassium, and after that, in my opinion, to bella-