Lectures on some points in the treatment and management of neuroses.

  • Seguin, E. C. (Edward Constant), 1843-1898.
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lectures on some points in the treatment and management of neuroses. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    diet and careless bromide treatment, and great improve- ment followed the resumption of a moderate normal diet, with systematic medication. I have, however, one rule with respect to the diet of these patients—they should eat a light evening meal (a milk meal, or a little animal food), but never eat before retiring. It is generally admitted that going to bed with a full stomach is very provocative of nocturnal or matutinal seizures. I fail to see the philosophy of depriving epileptics of animal food, since it gives strength and increases (normal) nerve power. A priori I should ex- pect a starchy diet to cause nervousness by the setting up of oxaluria and lith&emia. I might as well here refer to the rest of the hygiene of epileptics. I aim to restrict them as little as possible in respect to food, amusements, and occupation. The reduc- tion in these should be mainly quantitative, in my opinion. Thus I allow many of my epileptics to go to sociables, theatres, and even quiet parties, but I make sure that they are in bed by 11 p. m., or at latest, once in a while, by mid- night. Before going to any such amusement they are to take a little extra bromide. School work is no doubt too much for most, epileptic children, but, on the other hand, idleness is also bad; so I usually allow from two to four hours of study, or private teaching, in different cases. Play involving violent exertion (ball, tennis, running games, etc.) I forbid. In general it may be said that a monotonous, moderately busy life is the best for an epileptic. The good effects of monotony or regularity of living, combined with quiet, is well shown by the remarkable remissions which sometimes occur, without medication, after an epileptic has been received into a hospital or asylum. A question which has puzzled the minds of the ablest physicians is how to supply the nervous system with the phosphorus and phosphates which form so striking a pro-