Synopsis of cerebral and spinal seizures of inorganic origin and of paroxysmal form as a class; and of their pathology as involved in the structures and actions of the neck.

  • Hall, Marshall, 1790-1857.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Synopsis of cerebral and spinal seizures of inorganic origin and of paroxysmal form as a class; and of their pathology as involved in the structures and actions of the neck. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    86. The relation between sleep and the apoplectic or epileptic seizure is well known. It is scarcely less remarkable than that of emotion and irritation with these seizures. 87. On this subject Heberden observes— 88. “ Somnus est imprimis necessarius ad renovandas vires ani- mosque, labore et curis exhaustas; et tamen procul dubio hominem opportuniorem reddit omnibus illis affectibus, qui ex nervorum infirmitate oriri existimantur; in quibus quoque numeranda est apoplexia, quae saepe per quietem crescit, vel turn primum invadit. Illos itaque omnes qui in his morbis sunt, et cupiunt amoliri praesentia mala, vel futura praecavere, oportet abstinere a nimio somno : optimus ejus modus erit, qui minimus salva valetudine capi potest.” And again— 89. “ Somnus distentionibus amicus est, ut et omnibus malis quae ex nervorum affectibus oriuntur. Itaque hae quoque noctu praecipue molest® sunt. Alios invadunt in somnum labentes, alios expergiscentes, multos etiam dormientes excitant*.” 90. Sleep may itself become almost apoplectic, as in deep sleep with snoring and stertor ; or almost epileptic, as in some forms of oneiro- dynia and of hidden seizure. 91. I have known patients to become, first, prone to sleep heavily and with stertor, and then to fall into apoplexy, paralysis, or epilepsy. Esquirol describes an interesting case, in which it was necessary to avoid sleep, in order to avoid epilepsy. 92. 2. Apoplectic Trachelismus.—This form of trachelismus exists in every form and degree. Sometimes it is so slight, apparently, as only to be inferred from appearances or symptoms. There is no sensation about the neck, no visible contraction about its muscles; but there • is * Op. cit. pp. 304; 353.