The diet should be plain, and taken regularity at three meals daily.
XXVII. Headache.
Headache may be either a symptom of simple disturbance of the brain or other organs, or an early symptoms of disease of the brain.
When a child complains of headache, or shows by his desire to lie down, or to have the head supported, by restlessness and peevishness, that his head aches, it is always well to inquire if he had received any injury to the head, been exposed to a hot sun, or to great heat, or if he has taken indigestible food. Should the affection have no definable cause, we must, by carefully noting the condition of the child, endeavour to discover the source of the ailment. Should the head be hot, and the eyes bright and staring, congestion is probable. Should the head be large, and the spaces between the several bones of the infantile head open, the sleep restless, Inflammation of the coverings of the brain may be suspected. If the head becomes square, and the flesh waste, then water in the head in to be feared. The occasional discharge of a clot of blood from the nostrils, with headache and restlessness, is often of serious import. But headache, and the disease on which it depends, may be generally cured if early treatment be adopted.
EPITOME OF TREATMENT.
From Exposure to Heat. Aconite, Gloninum, or Belladonna
From Indigestible Food. Ipecac., Pulsatilla, or Iris.
From Injury. Arnica, Belladonna
LEADING INDICATIONS
Belladonna. Pain and heat in the head, red face, bright eyes, starting and screaming in sleep.
Glonoine. Severe pain, coming on suddenly; paleness of the face; inability to hold up the head.
Hyoscyamus. Restlessness; starting and pricking; dull, heavy eyes.
Helleborus. Headache, with coolness of the skin.
Arsenicum. Flabbiness and waste of flesh.
Bryonia. Pain over the eyes; Constipation.
ACCESSORY TREATMENT. The wet compress, in the form of a thick soft canvas cap, with an oiled-silk cover, is an admirable application in almost all kinds of Headache.
XXVIII. Sleeplessness.
Sleeplessness is a symptom rather than a disease in itself. It may depend upon a disease, or upon irritation of the nervous system. We purpose here to treat principally of the complaint as it occurs unconnected with any grave disease; but inasmuch as the remedies suitable for simple sleeplessness are often the most useful in overcoming sleeplessness connected with serious disease, the latter will be casually mentioned.
REMEDIES. Coffea. Sleeplessness due to, or accompanied with, agreeable excitement, and without feverishness.
Aconitum. Sleeplessness from fright, agitation, or anxiety, with febrile heat.
Belladonna. Great desire, but inability to sleep; fear, agitation, and frightful visions; continued crying without assignable cause; heat and throbbing in the head.
Hyoscyamus. Sleeplessness in sensitive or irritable children, from nervous excitement.
Ignatia. When due to grief, depressing emotions, or thread- worms,
Nux Vomica. Flow of ideas preventing sleep; Indigestion or Constipation.
Opium. Hideous visions after a fright.
Pulsatilla. From over-eating or indigestible food.
ACCESSORY MEANS. When a child cannot fall asleep at the accustomed hour, he should be turned from the light, or the room should be darkened, and kept quiet. Bathing the head and neck with cold water, and rubbing them dry with a rough towel, is useful. Smoothing back the hair, or singing in a low monotonous tone, is often soothing.
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."