Nervous diseases



Belladonna-Red, swollen face, throbbing of the blood vessels, convulsive movements of the face or limbs, dilatation of he pupil loss of speech, suppression or involuntary discharge of urine, etc.

Opium-Drowsiness, stupor, or profound Coma; stertorous and irregular breathing; bloated face, stupid and besotted oppression, half-open eyes, contracted pupils, cold extremities.

Nux Vomica-=Congestive condition of the brain, favoring Apoplexy. Even when effusion has taken place it is often the best remedy unless active febrile symptoms call;l for Aconite Nux V, is particularly valuable for patients who have spent a sedentary life, and indulged in a rich diet, wine, etc.

Phosphorous-This remedy retards or corrects the calcareous degeneration of h arterial blood-vessels, which we have stated to be the great cause of the disease. It my be given when such a change is suspected and also during recovery from a fit of Apoplexy from that cause.

Adrenalin is another drug that seems to cause arterial degeneration, and should therefore be useful in counter acting a predisposition to this disease. Baryta Carb. also is a valuable remedy for blood-vessels.

ADMINISTRATION-During a paroxysm, one or two drops of the tincture in a teaspoonful of water, or on a small piece of sugar, every fifteen or thirty minutes; in threatened Apoplexy, a dose every hour; as a symptoms are subsiding, every there to six hours.

ACCESSORIES DURING A FIT-r. If possible, the patient should be immediately conveyed to a large apartment where the cold air can freely circulation around him. 2. The neckerchief, and bandages of every kind loosened, and the patient placed in a warm bed, with the head moderately raised. 3. Warmth should be applied to the extremities and axilla, cloths wring out of hot water, wand renewed as soon a they become cool, to the head; and sinapism to the epigastrium. 4. At the same time, one of the aforementioned medicines should be given, chiefly Aconite, Belladonna, or Opi.

AFTER A FIT.-I. Should the patient recover front the fit, great and unremitting care must be observed to prevent another attack. The diet should be light but nourishing; milk, light pudding, cooked vegetables, fish, etc., are extremely valuable; a full animal diet should not be allowed till all fear of a relapse is passed; and stimulant should most invariably be avoided.

After the attack, more or less paralysis will remain according to the site and extent of the haemorrhage. This frequently passes off more or less completely, a nd the administration of well chosen remedies like Phosphorus and Baryta Carb. can do much to help it. (See Section on Paralysis).

Moderate exercise of the muscles is a remedial agent of high value; it tends to promote a more active circulation through the entire system, and consequently, they diminish then appears on blood-vessels which with a little extra force might cause to give way. If active exertion cannot be taken, friction performed a second person by means of towels or flesh-brushes offer the surface of the body and the extremities are necessary. the causes of the disease should as far as possible be avoided or modified.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES-Undeviating temperance in eating and drinking. Physical and mental exertion and excesses of every natural; fit of passion or excitement; sudden change so temperature, over-heated rooms, warm bahs, wet feet, etc., must be uniformly avoided,. Errors in diet, exposure to a hot sun, violent emotions, etc., may excite the gravest symptoms in persons predisposed to Apoplexy.

84.-Sun-stroke-Insulation-Sun-fever-coup de Soleil-Heat-stroke.

DEFINITION-A paralysis of all the functions of the brain, occurring either gradually o suddenly, excited by heat, sometimes following exposure to the direct rays of the sun particularly when t heat is added the pressure of tight and unsuitable clothing.

SYMPTOMS-The affection is generally proceeded by premonitory symptoms such as thirst, heat, and dryness of is9n; vertigo; congestion of the eyes; frequent desire to micturate; Syncope follows, and is often instantly fatal; in insensibility and stertorous breathing occur, with or without convulsions; and a temperature which may reach 107 degree. In both varieties the mortality i high, and unexampled Congestion of the lungs is the most common morbid condition found after death.

CAUSES-Besides the direct effect of heat, the fatigue consequent on continued physical exertion in a headed crowded compartments, or close,. hot nurseries, re disposes to an attack. Hence its frequency amongst our solidities who in Eastern countries are exposed to great heat, head to carry heavy accoutrements, and often sleep in crowded barracks, etc. Two points are remarkable in. he history of Sun-stroke-viz., its extreme rarity in mid- ocean and at great elevations. In both cases the effect of the sun’s rays, per se is not less, is even greater, than on land and a sea-level; yet in both Sub-stroke is uncommon; the temperature of the air, however, is refer excessive in either case (Parkes).

TREATMENT-If there be no convulsions, the patient should be quickly stripped, placed in n empty bath, and suffused over the neck and shoulders till the temperature reduced below 102 degree. For solidities on the march it has been found useful to let cool water fall from a height of three or four feet on to the back of the head and neck. Camph. should be inhaled and given on sugar. A teaspoonful of brandy-and water(half of each) may be given instead. When the danger is over, Aconite, may be given every ten minutes. I the eye convulsions, the patient should be placed in a epic bath, and cold water added till the temperature of the body is reduced to 98 degree. Camph. and Aconite, may be given as in the other case,. Belladonna is to be preferred to Aconite if the eyes be staring and glistening.

Glonoine-Very severe heavy and throbbing pain in the head, particularly at the back or sudden loss of consciousness.

Belladonna-Violent dizziness, or sudden falling down as if from Apoplexy; redness of the face.

Camphor-Great depression of the pulse, and pale face, with violent distress in the head; followed immediately by a reaction- flushed face, accelerated pulse, etc.

The effects may usually be me by Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, or Gloninum

ACCESSORY MEANs-It is now generally agreed that Sun-stroke follows a depressed, and not, as was formerly taint, a stimulated condition of the nervous centers. The treatment, therefore, by the lancet, which a few years nice was the orthodox method, a nd supposed to be strongly indicated has been generally abolished to be strongly indicated has been generally abolished, and that by cold touch, or cold compress, constantly applied over the head, neck, and chest, is almost universally adopted.

PREVENTION-Clothes should be light and loose especially avoiding undue pressure on the veins of the neck. Flannel tends to prevent chills. Spirit-drinking, particularly in India and other hot climates, should be discontinued, as it undoubtedly predisposes to attacks.

85-Paralysis-Paralytic STroke.

DEFINITION-Paralysis, or Palsy, is a condition in which there is loss of motion to a variable extent, associated with disease of the brain or spinal cord, from injury two, of pressure upon, a have trunk, or from the action of a poison.

There are many different forms of Paralysis, some of which, with their chief causes, are as follows-

HEMIPLEGIA is that form of Paralysis in which one lateral half of the body is affected from disease of the opposite half of a brain, the parts generally involved being the upper and lower extremities, the muscles of mastication, a nd the muscles of one side of the tongue, and the patient is said to have had paralytic stroke.

HEMIPLEGIA is that form of Paralysis in which one lateral half of the boy is affects from disease of the opposite half of the brain, the parts generally involved being the upper and lowers extremities, the muscles of mastication, a nd the muscles of one the tongue, and the patient is said to have ad a ‘paralytic stroke.

Hemiplegia away be very partial, as when it affects the third nerve only, causing dropping of the paper eyelid, to which that nerve sends branches, so that it cannot be raised except by the hand. Chic condition is termed Ptosis. The eyes is also sometimes turned outwards or inwards (squatting) from a similar affection.

The chief causes are-cerebral Haemorrhage (Apoplexy), obstruction of he blood-vessels of the brain, and consequent cerebral softening. The general pathology and treatment are the same as pointed out in the Section on Apoplexy.

PARAPLEGIA is a form of Paralysis, more or less complete, of the lower half of the body, in which the legs, and perhaps also the muscles of the rectum and bladder, are implicated. It is caused by disease of he spinal marrow, or of its membranes, of of the vertebrae, so that the marrow is either pressed upon or disorganized. The brain and spaniel cord an be diseased in a variety of ways and give rise to a variety of symptoms. the diagnosis of the different conditions must be left to the expert, but the four chair varieties of chronic disease of nervous tissue are Infantile Paralysis, q.v under Anterior Polio-myelitis, Disseminated sclerosis and Paralysis Agitans. the last is characteristic by tremor of the limbs, the symptoms of the second vary with he site of the diseased patches of nervosas tissue, causing interference with both sensory and motor functions, and Tab’s has well-marked interference with sensory nerves chiefly in. feet and legs, inability to co-ordinate muscular moments, and a number of other symptoms making up a characteristic picture. Infantile paralysis is the resale of diseases of the results, in wasting and paralysis of groups of muscles. varying according to the site of he diseases cells.

Edward Harris Ruddock
Ruddock, E. H. (Edward Harris), 1822-1875. M.D.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.

Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."