During  a  fit  of  epilepsy  the  only  thing  that
can  be  done  for  the  patient  is  to  prevent  the
sufferer  injuring  himself,  and  to  loosen  every
part  of  his  dress  that  presses  on  bis  head,  neck,
or  chest.  When  premonitory  symptoms  occur,
a  brisk  emetic,  a  large  dose  of  laudanum  and
ether,  a  cold  plunge  or  shower  bath  (when  not
contra-indicated),  ■  or  anything  else  which
gives  a  sudden  shock  to  the  system  or  raises
its  tone,  frequently  prevents  the  accession  of
the  fit.
Epilepsy  more  commonly  attacks  children
than  adult",  and  bovs  than  girls.      "  Its  re-

41


642


EPISPASTICS— EQUIVALENT


turns  are  frequently  periodical,  and  its  pa-
roxysms commence  more  frequently  in  the
night  than  in  the  day,  being  somewhat  con-
nected with  sleep.  It  is  sometimes  counter-
feited by  street  impostors  in  order  to  excite
the  charity  of  the  passers-by.
For  AnimaU.  AH  animals  are  subject  to
attacks  of  epilepsy,  more  particularly  dogs  and
pigs.  The  animal  seized  with  the  fit  loses  the
senses  of  sight  and  hearing,  and  falling  down
exhibits  the  same  symptoms  as  those  which
accompany  the  disease  in  human  beings.
Cattle,  although  they  bellow  greatly  during
an  attack,  rarely  die  from  it;  but  it  not  in-
frequently suffocates  dogs,  and  is  in  them  a  not
unusual  cause  of  sudden  death.  The  fit,  which
lasts  from  ten  to  filty  minutes,  when  it  passes
off,  leaves  the  animal  duU.and  is  apt  to  return.
Epileptic  fits  are  a  frequent  accompaniment
of  distemper  in  dogs.  They  are  often  induced
in  cattle  by  tough  and  indigestible  food,  nnd
in  these  as  well  as  in  dogs,  by  intestinal  worms.
Hot  weather  and  excitement,  especially  in
dogs,  are  a  frequent  cause  of  an  epileptic  fit.
