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Abstract
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I received a call to visit Ann Maria O. set. between 6 and 7 years, of a delicate nervous constitution, hereditarily predis posed both to phthisis and epilepsy; of the latter of which dis eases she had suffered several violent attacks, which usually seemed to be brought on by gastric orgastro-enteritic irritation^ rather than any original morbid cerebral action, for in com mon the exhibition of an emetic or an emetico-cathartic, spee dily allayed the paroxysms and restored the various functions.
On arriving, I found Dr. A., my former Preceptor, there^ who had administered an emetic of Ipecacuanha, on the supposition that she was laboring under'an attack of epilepsy "her old complaint."
She had vomited little--appeared much agitated--seemed somewhat delirious --stared and looked wildly--muttered in coherently--her superior extremities were in constant and rapid motion, as were the inferior, though less so. Upon raising her into a setting position, she permitted her head to fall back, threw out her arms and endeavored to lay hold of something to prevent her from falling backwards, and seemed vertiginous as one who had been whirling rapidly on his feet. A feather was thrust into the throat to tickle the fauces and assist the action of the emetic, but nothing was discovered in the ejected matter, (which was some warm water and tlm Ipecacuanha which she had taken,) that could have given rise to such distressing symptoms.
Upon further inquiry it was ascertained that about stx o'clock P. M., she came from play--complained of weariness --lassitude--wished to sleep--felt slight nausea-- said it was "so dark she could not see well"--rubbed her eyes with her hand--complained of pain in her forehead--and had some slight muscular tremors in her upper and lower limbs and face...
Language: en |