3, In purging the Child (supposing what has been just directed to have been unavailable) with an Ounce, or an Ounce and a Half, of compound Syrup of Succory, or as much Manna. These lenient gentle Purges carry off the Remainder of the corrupted Milk, and remove the Disorders occasioned by it.
§ 393. A third Cause which also produces Convulsions, is the feverish Distempers which attack Children, especially the Small-pocks and the Measles; but in general such Convulsions require no other Treatment, but that proper for the Disease, which has introduced them.
§ 394. It is evident from what has been said in the Course of this Chapter, and it deserves to be attended to, that Convulsions are commonly a Symptom attending some other Disease, rather than an original Disease themselves: that they depend on many different Causes; that from this Consideration there can be no general Remedy for removing or checking them; and that the only Means and Medicines which are suitable in each Case, are those, which are proper to oppose the particular Cause producing them, and which I have already pointed out in treating of each Cause.
The greater Part of the pretended Specifics, which are indiscriminately and ignorantly employed in all Sorts of Convulsions, are often useless, and still oftner prejudicial. Of this last Sort and Character are,
1, All sharp and hot Medicines, spirituous Liquors, Oil of Amber,—other hot Oils and Essences, volatile Salts, and such other Medicines, as, by the Violence of their Action on the irritable Organs of Children, are likelier to produce Convulsions, than to allay them.
2, Astringent Medicines, which are highly pernicious, whenever the Convulsions are caused by any sharp Humour, that ought to be discharged from the Body by Stool; or when such Convulsions are the Consequences of an [92] Effort of Nature, in Order to effect a Crisis: And as they almost ever depend on one or the other of these Causes, it follows that Astringents can very rarely, if ever, be beneficial. Besides that there is always some Danger in giving them to Children without a mature, a thorough Consideration of their particular Case and Situation, as they often dispose them to Obstructions.
3, The over early, and too considerable Use of Opiates, either not properly indicated, or continued too long, such as Venice Treacle, Mithridate, Syrup of Poppies (and it is very easy to run upon some of these Sholes) are also attended with the most embarrassing Events, in Regard to Convulsions; and it may be affirmed they are improper, for nine Tenths of those they are advised to. It is true they often produce an apparent Ease and Tranquillity for some Minutes, and sometimes for some Hours too; but the Disorder returns even with greater Violence for this Suspension, by Reason they have augmented all the Causes producing it; they impair the Stomach; they bind up the Belly; they lessen the usual Quantity of Urine; and besides, by their abating the Sensibility of the Nerves, which ought to be considered as one of the chief Centinels appointed by Nature, for the Discovery of any approaching Danger, they dispose the Patient insensibly to such Infarctions and Obstructions, as tend speedily to produce some violent and mortal Event, or which generate a Disposition to languid and tedious Diseases: and I do again repeat it, that notwithstanding there are some Cases, in which they are absolutely necessary, they ought in general to be employed with great Precaution and and Prudence. To mention the principal Indications for them in convulsive Cases, they are proper,
1, When the Convulsions still continue, after the original Cause of them is removed.
2, When they are so extremely violent, as to threaten a great and very speedy Danger of Life; and when they prove an Obstacle to the taking Remedies calculated to extinguish their Cause; and,
3, When the Cause producing them is of such a Nature, as is apt to yield to the Force of Anodynes; as when, for Instance, they have been the immediate Consequence of a Fright.