Convulsions are uncontrolled body movements set off by an electrical malfunction of the brain.
Convulsions can be caused by epilepsy, meningitis, tetanus, uremia, hysteria, or eclampsia. They can also be induced by poisoning from camphor, cyanide, strychnine, santonin, brucine, or aspidium. In children the cause is often wrong diet, rickets, syphilis, malaria, toxemias, or acute infectious diseases. In adults, the cause is often epilepsy, heat cramps, strychnine, or food poisoning. Convulsions, due to tetanus and hydrophobia, are easily distinguished and, for the most part, involve a small portion of the voluntary muscles.