Observations on epilepsy, its pathology, and treatment / by William M. Cornell.

  • Cornell, William Mason, 1802-1895.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on epilepsy, its pathology, and treatment / by William M. Cornell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    treatment. I have not heard from her for the last four years. She thought being bled always injured her, and I doubt not her opinion was correct. Case VII.—Miss , aged 35 years, has had convulsions since she was 14; knows of no cause for them. Has had them as often as once in three weeks. General health poor; extremities cold; appetite good. Has very singular feelings for several days previous to, and seve- ral clays after, a fit. Once took medicine from a lady in Roxbury, and had no convulsions for four years. Then took medicm-; from Dr. Ly- man, of Woodstock, Conn., and was free from convulsions again for nine months ; since which time, they have returned, as formerly, once in three weeks. Prescribed oxide zinci et cotyledon, under which she went six months without a return of the disease, when she was taken with dysen- tery, and died. Case VIII.—Mr. , aged 56 years ; a distiller (in the days when distilling was an honorable business as well as lucrative). Seven years since, he had a convulsion, supposed to have been induced by fa- tigue. Six months after, had a second attack. Has since had them as often as once in three months. Head often dizzy, but not painful. Food distresses him if he takes too much. Has been in the habit of taking physic almost constantly for several years—a sufficient cause to make any well man sick. Now has his fits always in the night. Thinks he has taken all kinds of medicine. Extremities cold. Has been troubled with rheumatism. Prescribed cotyledon and, stram. Had no fit for four months. Has had one since, but none for the last two years. Case IX.—July 16th, 1849, a ^clergyman brought to me his son, aged 10 years. His mother had a sister who was epileptic. This was one of those numerous cases in which the disease is induced by forcing the mental powers and neglecting the physical. At the age of six years this child (usually bright and sprightly, and of a nervous tempera- ment) could read English xmd Latin well. Then he became highly ex- citable ; soon had spasms, and these soon terminated in epileptic con- vulsions. At the present time, he has a convulsion almost every day, usually early in the morning. His appetite is voracious, and he has been allowed to indulge it freely, as he is a feeble child and has a large share of compassion both from a kind father and an indulgent mother. I have no doubt that these two errors of his parents—first, the unnatural forcing of his mind, and secondly the full feeding of an unnatural appe- tite—were the cause of his convulsions. Once, upon being kept, within reasonable bounds of eating for a single week, he had no convulsion dur- ing that time. Then, being permitted to visit a friend's house, where he