The motions must be burned, or carefully disinfected.
Epilepsy.
Symptoms.—This is the most common form of fits. There are three stages. 1st stage—The patient falls down completely unconscious and without warning, the face is pale, the limbs become stiff and rigid, and the breathing ceases. 2nd stage—Convulsive movements take place, the tongue being often bitten, the breathing becomes heavy and laboured, and the motions may be passed unconsciously. 3rd stage—A confused mental condition, sometimes acute mania, usually sleepy for some time. In some cases the fit may only last a few minutes. They almost always recur.
Treatment.—During the attack nothing can be done beyond loosening all tight clothing, and gently preventing the sufferer from injuring himself in his struggles. It is especially important to keep the teeth apart with a piece of cork or rubber to prevent the tongue from being bitten.
Bromide of potassium (ten to twenty grains) may be given three times a day as a preventive.
Faintness.
Bending the head firmly down between the knees is the best and most rapid way of dealing with an attack. Another method is to lay the patient on a couch, loosen any clothing which is round the neck, bathe his face and arms with cold water, and fan him vigorously. Give three grains of carbonate of ammonia in an ounce of water. Alcohol may be given if the pulse is very weak, but sal volatile or carbonate of ammonia is more efficacious.
Filariasis.
This term connotes several pathogenic conditions, but the most important form of filariasis in man is that due to a small blood-worm which is conveyed by the bite of one or other species of mosquito. The most important symptom of filariasis is the condition known as elephantiasis, but the presence of filaria in the blood also causes a febrile state and various other symptoms which need not be detailed.