3. Asafoetida in three to five-grain pills is a splendid tonic in such cases, and in that form is pleasant to take. Take three during the day, before meals.
4. Sumbul or musk root is a good remedy. Tincture in one-half dram doses three times a day. This is good when the patient is very nervous.
5. The following is good when anemia is prominent:
Dried Sulphate of Iron 20 grains Alcoholic extract of Sumbul 20 grains Asafoetida 10 grains Arsenious acid 1/2 grain
Mix thoroughly and make twenty pills, one after each meal.
[288 Mothers’ remedies]
6. Tincture of hops in doses of one-half to two teaspoonfuls is good for nervousness and sleeplessness, taken at bedtime. It can also be taken regularly four times a day in from one-half to one teaspoonful doses.
7. General Cautions.—Proper, easily digested foods must be taken. Keep the bowels open daily. Let trash and dainties alone. Pies, cakes, and rich foods are an abomination for such patients. Candy is not to be eaten. Let novels alone. Go to bed at nine and sleep until six or seven. Bathe five or ten minutes every morning or evening in tepid water or cool water. The patient should be warmly clothed. Sleep in a pleasant, sunshiny and airy room. In severe forms of the disease the “Rest Cure” and feeding described under Nervous Prostration should be used.
Epilepsy. (Falling Sickness).—This is an affection of the nervous system, characterized by attacks of unconsciousness, with or without convulsion.
Causes.—In a large proportion of cases the disease begins before puberty. It rarely begins after twenty-five. It is more liable to attack females than males. Heredity is thought by some to play a big role. Dr. Osler says: “In our figures it appears to play a minor role.” Another doctor says: “Heredity plays an important role in the production of the disease. Besides epilepsy, insanity, migraine, alcoholism, near relationship of parents (consanguinity) and hysteria are among the more common ancestral taints observed.” All factors which impair the health and exhaust the nervous system are predisposing causes. Injury to the head often causes it. Teething, worms, adherent foreskin and clitoris, closing of the internal opening of the womb, delayed menstruation, are sometimes the cause.
Symptoms.—There are two distinct types. The major attacks—or “grand mal”—in which there are severe convulsions with complete loss of consciousness, etc.; and the minor attacks or “petit mal,” in which the convulsive movements are slight and may be absent, and in which the loss of consciousness is often but momentary or practically absent. In some the attacks occur during the day; in others during the night, and they may not be noticed for a long time.