Dec. 12. The usual operation on clitoris and rectum.
Dec. 13. In the absence of nurse, removed the dressing, and immediately had a fit. To have opium 1 grain, with ¼ grain of extract of belladonna, every six hours.
Under this treatment the patient improved daily, became cheerful, rational, tractable, and much more sensible in her conversation.
She passed two menstrual epochs, but without a fit, and she was discharged perfectly cured.
I have a much larger number of cases occurring in private practice, but, for that reason, am obliged to omit them. I shall, however, when a longer time has elapsed, publish them.
CHAPTER VIII.
IDIOTCY AND INSANITY, WITH CASES.
As epilepsy is a much graver disease than hysteria, so is the sequel of the former—dementia or idiotcy—much more permanent and difficult to be removed by treatment than insanity, which is the ordinary sequel of hysteria.
I shall give but one case of idiotcy, because I regret to say that I have never yet been able to thoroughly restore the mental powers in any patients suffering from this dreadful affliction. Epilepsy is such a chronic disease, and seems to me to produce not only weakening of the mind, but to cause it to be often entirely lost, that, although we may get, as in the following case, a temporary re-kindling of the mental energies, I fear we are not yet able to give much hope of complete recovery. Even here, however, I have such faith in the efficacy of perseverance in constant watching, that I am almost inclined to believe that, had this patient been in a condition of life to ensure vigilant medical supervision for a lengthened period after operation, we might at last have succeeded in, if not complete, at least, much creator restoration than in a public institution, or to those in humble circumstances, the surgeon is in a condition to promise.
Case XLII. Epileptic Fits, with Complete Idiotcy—Operation—Great Temporary Relief, but not Permanent Benefit.
Mary J., æt. 19, single; admitted into the London Surgical Home Feb. 15, 1864.