Three lectures on epilepsy / [William Aldren Turner].

  • Turner, William Aldren.
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Three lectures on epilepsy / [William Aldren Turner]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    unable to produce sufficient compression, and requires the assist- ance of a second person. A circular blister was suggested by Buzzard,' in order to induce a more permanent effect, sometimes with advantage. Forced extension or movement in the direction opposite to the warning sensation may be efficacious, when compression alone is unsatisfactory, According to Herpin,?. the most effectual means of arresting such attacks is a combination of circular compression and forced movement in the opposite direction. Friction, or rubbing the extremity of the lmb where the sensation starts, has also been of use; and I have known a patient to bite the finger in which the aura commenced some- times with a successful issue. : Abortive means are less satisfactory in cases with a visceral aura. Strong pressure by the hands over the epigastrium is resorted to by some epileptics, while others prefer to drink cold water ; swallowing a few drops of ether has also occasionally resulted in arresting an attack. Inhalations of ammonia have been used successfully. I recall a case in which a seton inserted over the epigastrium was employed with advantage in diminish- ing the frequency of the attacks. Other patients refer to a method of auto-suggestion, bringing to bear a strong determina- tion to overcome the attack a method which undoubtedly has been followed by success in some cases. | The inhalation of nitrite of amyl is a method of arrest, more especially valuable in fits with cephalic warning, and particularly in those with olfactory sensations (Gowers). Pierce Clark has advocated this remedy as a satisfactory means of aborting fits. Status Epilepticus——It has been shown that a gradually increasing number of seizures is the usual sign of the onset of the status epilepticus or of prolonged serial outbursts. With this warning the dose of bromide should be increased even up to double the quantity, and chloral (10 to 15 gers.) should be added, and the mixture repeated every four hours. Clark recommends the addition of a solution of morphia to the draught. ' Buzzard, Brain, London, vol. iii. p. 554. * Herpin, ‘‘ Acces Incomplet de l’Epilepsie,” Paris, 1867, p. 29.
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