New Britain herald., 1925-09-26
For q moment nobody spoke, Nan was trembling in every l,nlb.
 (To Re Continuci)
Your Health How to Keep It.
 Causes of Illness
By Dr. HUGH s. CUMMING ,urusap Cnpnrsi JfniteI Stnfn,


 ! chronic disease Of thr brain, a | general nervous disorder charac- i terized by conNulsions and loss of i consciousness.
 There arc all possible gradations | of disorder Of consciousness, from a complete loss 10 that of com plcte retention, In general, low | ever, manifestations of epilepsy are characterized by complete loss of consciousness for a longer or HhoWer period of time. Tho 1 manifestations of tlo disease have usually been classified according 10 | their severity.
 There are three well marked varieties of the cpiloptic seizure grand mal. petit nal, and psychic epilepsy. Any of these may exist ] alone but it rOmntimes happens that grand nal and petit maj may be found to exist in the same in- 1 dividua,.
 1 Grand nal, If not the more com- mon, is at least that which at , tracts the most attention, being what is generally known as an epiloptic 1t,
 Although in most instances such an attack comes on suddenly t is in some cases preceded by indica- tions or warnings often varied in | chara cter, temporary change in disposition for example an un- usual depression or elevation of spirits, or some change in appear ance. Besides these general sy1np- toms there are frequently peculiar sensations which immediately pre- cede the onset of the 'fit."
 The seizure itself Is usually pre- ceded by loud scream or cry. This cry or scream is due 10 the convulsive action of the muscles of the laryny and the expulsion of a | column of air and is not due to terror or pain.
 If patient is standing he in1- 1 nlediately falls. Tnconsciousnes may be complete and the muscles generally are In state of great stiffness
 Breathing Arrested
 The head is turned by series of jerks toward one of the shoul- ders. The breathing Is arrested for a, moment, the face grows first pale, then iivid, the pupils of the eyes dilate and the pulse becomes rapid.
 This first stage of the seizure generally lasts for about half minute and is followed by spasm of the muscles in which the whole body Is drawn into violent agta- tion.
 Ths ayes roll, the teeth are gnashed together, the tongue and cheek are often severely bitten. The breathing is noisy and foam, sometimes tinged with blood. issues from the mouth.
 This stage lasts for period varying from a few seconds to sev- eral minutes when the convulsiye movements gradually subsde and the muscles relax. There is . par tial return to consciousness.
 This stage is soon followed by drowsiness and stupor which may continue for several hours.
 When the patient awakes he may be apparently recovered or fa- tigued and depressed. Sometimes he may be in state of excite | ment.
 Epileptic fits Of this sort suc- ceed each other with varying de- grees of frequency and occasional ly but not frequently, at regular periods.
 Heart Stimulants
 As a general plan of treatment an effort should be made 10 main tain condition of stable blood circulation so that the blood pres sure upon the brain shall not un- dergo sudden, rapid or great changes.
 For this reason heart stimulants and sedatives administered by a doctor form an important part of the treatment and these may be combined with remedies, having specific effects upon the nerves.
 In no case should a patient sub ject to epilepsy undertake to treat himself.
 In most cases of epilepsy it is of first importance to ascertain the length of the interval between at- tacks. the time of the day such attacks occur and the patients condition.
 AS 8 rule, diets and measures which are designed to secure the drainage of the intestines and the prevention of intoxication are i'm portant considerations in the treat ment of epilepsy.
 You should remember that a pa ] tient suffering from epilepsy should : be placed in a comfortable and quiet country environment, pref erably removed from his family.
 The attempt should be made to make the epileptic a new individ- ual and at the same time always to keep him under surroundings where he can be properly cared for , in case a seizure occurs. Change of Recovery Investigations tend to show that of all individuals suffering even } from severe epilepsy who have } found residence in some of the special institutions maintained in the various states for the purpose, from one to six per cent have ulti- mately recovered completely, while a much larger percentage have improved.
 You should know that during fit of epilepsy little can be done beyond preventing, as far as pos sible, the patient from !njuring | himself while he is in an uncon- . scious condition. Tight clothing should be loosen ed and 6 cork or pad should be 9 | i1asnrted hefxuea, fha taafh yrh