Adult men and women rarely (although
they do sometimes) have convulsions, ex-
cept those which are either hysterical,
puerperal, or epileptic. The principles of
management of hysterical and epileptic con-
vulsions, during the attack, are essentially
the same as for that of infantile convulsions.
Treatment betiveoi attacks is a more difficult
affair — to be conducted by those who are
skilled in medicine. Puerperal convulsions
(that is, occurring during labor, or after
child-birth) are more peculiar, and ought
always to have immediate attendance from
a physician. Few cases of illness are more
serious and critical than these ; not only in
appearance, but in reality.
Promotion of Sleep.
When sleeplessness comes as one of the
symptoms of a disease, it may not have to
be dealt with by itself, at least with medi-
cine, unless it be more prolonged and dis-
tressing than usual. In ever}^ case quiet-
ness is indispensable, through the evening
and night. Little or no light should, during
the night, reach the ej^es of the patient : if
accustomed to darkness, this will be best.
If difficulty of sleeping {insomnia^ result
from nervous disturbance, exhaustion, over-
study or anxiety, vianagenieyit should always
be perseveringly tried before resorting to
drugs so powerful as the sleep -producers
(Jiypnotics, narcotics.^
Very light, easily digested food should,
under such circumstances, make the last
meal of the day. Yet a person not strong
will sometimes be kept awake by having an
empty stomach late at night. A cracker, a
drink of sugared water, or a small wine-
glaSvSful of beef-tea, may then make a better
night. No excitement of the brain, as by
reading or continued conversation, shouUl
be allowed for two hours before usual sleep-
ing time. Being read aloud to, if the book
be not too interesting, answers in some
cases ; but an objection to it is that it re-
quires the presence of more light than is de-
sirable.
Mothers and nurses often vSing their
babies to sleep. That is a very good expe-
dient, and may now and then succeed even
with a grown person .
Exercise, in moderation, and in propor-
tion to one's strength, may be very well
taken in the evening to promote sleep. A
walk in the open air will do, or a few min-
utes' flourishing of not too heavy dumb-
bells. Getting a little tired makes one
4S7
24
THE F/IMILY DOCTOR
sleep ; while real exhaustion has the con-
trary effect.
Some people imagine that if they cannot
get asleep at once, they might as well be up
and doing something, reading or writing, or
walking about. This is a very great mis-
take. If not sound asleep, or even far
enough towards that to entirely lose con-
sciousness, we may yet get a good deal of
rest in partial sleep ; and the more of this we
get the better, in the saving and renewal
of strength. Keep still, then, in the dark,
with closed eyes, and try to dismiss active
thought. Count loo, 200, 300 ; repeat dog-
gerel verses, as wrong as you can misre-
member them ; watch imaginary sheep
jumping over fancied stiles, one, two, three,
four, and on, to twenty-five or fifty. Fight
your eyelids ; after a while, the brain-vibra-
tions, like those of a bell that has been
struck, will lull by degrees, and sleep may
come at last.
Page 148
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Adult men and women rarely (although they do sometimes) have convulsions, except those which are either hysterical, puerperal, or epileptic. The principles of management of hysterical and epileptic convulsions, during the attack, are essentially
the same as for that of infantile convulsions. Treatment between attacks is a more difficult affair — to be conducted by those who are skilled in medicine. Puerperal convulsions (that is, occurring during labor, or after child-birth) are more peculiar, and ought always to have immediate attendance from a physician. Few cases of illness are more serious and critical than these ; not only in appearance, but in reality.
Promotion of Sleep.
When sleeplessness comes as one of the symptoms of a disease, it may not have to be dealt with by itself, at least with medicine, unless it be more prolonged and distressing than usual. In ever}^ case quietness is indispensable, through the evening and night. Little or no light should, during the night, reach the eyes of the patient : if accustomed to darkness, this will be best.
If difficulty of sleeping {insomnia result from nervous disturbance, exhaustion, overstudy or anxiety, management should always be perseveringly tried before resorting to drugs so powerful as the sleep -producers (hypnotics, narcotics.^
Very light, easily digested food should, under such circumstances, make the last meal of the day. Yet a person not strong will sometimes be kept awake by having an empty stomach late at night. A cracker, a drink of sugared water, or a small wineglassful of beef-tea, may then make a better night. No excitement of the brain, as by reading or continued conversation, should be allowed for two hours before usual sleeping time. Being read aloud to, if the book be not too interesting, answers in some cases ; but an objection to it is that it requires the presence of more light than is desirable.
Mothers and nurses often sing their babies to sleep. That is a very good expedient, and may now and then succeed even with a grown person .
Exercise, in moderation, and in proportion to one's strength, may be very well taken in the evening to promote sleep. A walk in the open air will do, or a few minutes' flourishing of not too heavy dumbbells. Getting a little tired makes one
4S7
sleep ; while real exhaustion has the contrary effect.
Some people imagine that if they cannot get asleep at once, they might as well be up and doing something, reading or writing, or walking about. This is a very great mistake. If not sound asleep, or even far enough towards that to entirely lose consciousness, we may yet get a good deal of rest in partial sleep ; and the more of this we get the better, in the saving and renewal of strength. Keep still, then, in the dark, with closed eyes, and try to dismiss active thought. Count loo, 200, 300 ; repeat doggerel verses, as wrong as you can misremember them ; watch imaginary sheep jumping over fancied stiles, one, two, three, four, and on, to twenty-five or fifty. Fight your eyelids ; after a while, the brain-vibrations, like those of a bell that has been struck, will lull by degrees, and sleep may come at last.