CONVULSIONS—SPASMS
In the very young, convulsions are easily produced. That which will produce but a headache in an adult will often produce a convulsion in the child. Aside from diseases of the nervous system such as epilepsy, etc., convulsions frequently accompany gas on the bowels, intestinal indigestion, disordered dentition, an acute illness, intestinal parasites (worms), irritation about the genitals such as the need of circumcision, an adherent clitoris, adenoids and enlarged tonsils, inflammation of the ears, and poor nutrition of any sort such as rickets.
The convulsion picture is a stiffening of the body—sometimes arching backwards—rolling or staring of the eye-balls, blueness of the skin, a drooling mouth (often foamy mucus at the mouth), clinched hands, biting the teeth—if there are teeth—and even biting the tongue. There is at first a succession of quick, jerking, convulsive movements of the body which in a few moments grow less and less violent and finally cease. The child begins to cry and then soon goes off into a deep sleep, while the body seems more heavy and logy than usual. In extreme cases, the child relaxes but for a moment of time, when he goes off into another convulsion, sometimes going from one fit into another until death relieves him.
Treatment for convulsions must be instituted at once. Do not wait entirely to undress the child—pull off his shoes, place him at once into a good warm bath, temperature about 100 to 102 F. An ice cap should be placed to his head (cracked ice done up in a towel), and while in the bath or immediately upon taking him out, give a warm soapsuds enema. The bath that the child is placed in should be always tested with the bared elbow. A half cupful of mustard may be added to the bath. Just as soon as the child is able to swallow, give a teaspoon of syrup of ipecac. Enema after enema should be given until the water comes back clear. Undue excitement after the bath only predisposes to repeated attacks, and while the mother may be very happy that the child is himself again, under no circumstances should she caress and fondle him. Put the little one to bed and allow his nervous system to calm down; let him rest quietly and undisturbed.