CHAPTER V. CURE OF THE PAROXYSM OF EPILEPTICS.
EVEN the first fall in epilepsy is dangerous, if the disease
attack in an acute form; for it has sometimes proved fatal in
one day. The periodical paroxysms are also dangerous; and,
therefore, on these accounts, epilepsy has been described among
the acute diseases. But if the patient has become habituated
to the illness, and the disease has taken a firm hold of him, it
has become not only chronic, but, in certain cases, perpetual;
for if it pass the prime of life, it clings to him in old age and
in death.
Such remedies, then, as are applicable in the chronic state
will be described among the chronic diseases; but such things
as must be done for a sudden attack of the disease, of these
the greater number have been described under apoplectics,
namely, venesection, clysters, anointings, the cupping instrument;
these means being the most powerful for the purpose of
arousing. But I will now describe the peculiar remedies for
an attack of the falling sickness. In children, then, to whom,
owing to dyspepsia, or from excessive cold, the disease is
familiar, vomiting, either of food, or of phlegm, or of any
other humour, is beneficial. Feathers, then, dipped in the
ointment of iris, excite vomiting; and the unguentum irinum
is not inapplicable for smearing the tonsils with. But having
first laid the child on his belly (this is the easiest position for
vomiting), we must press gently on his lower belly. But if
the lower jaw be convulsed or distorted, or if the hands and
legs be tossed about, and if the whole face be fixed, the limbs
are to be soothed by gentle rubbing with oil, and the distortions
of the countenance rectified; the straight parts are to
be gently bound, so that they may not become distorted. The
cold parts are to be fomented with unscoured wool, or with
old rags. The anus is to be rubbed with honey along with
the oil of rue, or with natron and liquid resin along with these
things; and they are to be gently pushed within the anus, for
they expel flatus, and children pass flatus in this disease. But
if they can swallow, we may give them of this medicine: Of
cardamom, one part; of copper, one siliqua. These things
are to be drunk with honeyed-water; for either it is vomited
up along with the matter annoying the stomach, or the bowels
are opened. This is a very excellent linctus: Of cardamom, of
mustard, and of the hair of hyssop equal parts; of the root of
iris, one part, with a double quantity of natron; of pepper, to
the amount of one-third. Having mixed up all these things
together, and having separated the jaw, pour into the mouth,
and even beyond the tonsils, so that the things may be swallowed.
These things are proper for infants, and for young
persons the same are applicable. But the more powerful
emetics are to be taken: the bulbous root of narcissus; of
mustard and of hyssop, equal parts; of copper and pepper,
one-half the proportion of the former things. They are to be
mixed with honey and given. These things are proper, in
order to rouse from the paroxysm; but those calculated to
produce the resolution of the disease will be described under
the chronic diseases.
