§ 521. Here I shall insert some Directions to prevent the ill Consequences of great Fear or Terror, which are very prejudicial at every Term of Life, but chiefly during Infancy.
The general Effects of Terror, are a great Straitening or Contraction of all the small Vessels, and a Repulsion of the Blood into the large and internal ones. Hence follows the Suppression of Perspiration, the general Seizure or Oppression, the Trembling, the Palpitations and Anguish, from the Heart and the Lungs being overcharged with Blood; and sometimes attended with Swoonings, irremediable Disorders of the Heart, and Death itself. A heavy Drowsiness, Raving, and a Kind of furious or raging Delirium happen in other Cases, which I have frequently observed in Children, when the Blood-vessels of the Neck were swelled and stuffed up; and Convulsions, and even the Epilepsy have come on, all which have proved the horrible Consequence of a most senseless and wicked Foolery or Sporting. One half of those Epilepsies which do not depend on such Causes, as might exist before the Child's Birth, are owing to this detestable Custom; and it cannot be too much inculcated into Children, never to frighten one another; a Point which Persons intrusted with their Education, ought to have the strictest Regard to.
When the Humours that should have passed off by Perspiration, are repelled to the Intestines, a tedious and very obstinate Looseness is the frequent Consequence.
§ 522. Our Endeavours should be directed, to re-establish the disordered Circulation; to restore the obstructed Perspiration; and to allay the Agitation of the Nerves.
The popular Custom in these Cases has been to give the terrified Patient some cold Water directly; but when the Fright has been considerable, this is a very pernicious custom, and I have seen some terrible Consequences from it.
They should, on the contrary, be conveyed into some very quiet Situation, leaving there but very few Persons, and such only as they are thoroughly familiar with. They should take a few Cups of pretty warm Drink, particularly of an Infusion of Lime-tree Flowers and Bawm. Their Legs should be put into warm Water, and remain there an Hour, if they will patiently permit it, rubbing them gently now and then, and giving them every half-quarter of an Hour, a small Cup of the said Drink. When their Composure and Tranquillity are returned a little, and their Skin seems to have recovered its wonted and general Warmth, Care should be taken to dispose them to sleep, and to perspire plentifully. For this Purpose they may be allowed a few Spoonfuls of Wine, on putting them into Bed, with one Cup of the former Infusion; or, which is more certain and effectual, a few Drops of Sydenham's Liquid Laudanum, [Nº. 44]; but should that not be near at Hand, a small Dose of Venice Treacle.
§ 523. It sometimes happens that Children do not seem at first extremely terrified; but the Fright is renewed while they sleep, and with no small Violence. The Directions I have just given must then be observed, for some successive Evenings, before they are put to Bed.
Their Fright frequently returns about the latter End of the Night, and agitates them violently every Day. The same Treatment should be continued in such Cases; and we should endeavour to dispose them to be a-sleep at the usual Hour of its Return.
By this very Method, I have dissipated the dismal Consequences of Fear of Women in Child-bed, which is so commonly, and often speedily, mortal.
If a Suffocation from this Cause is violent, there is sometimes a Necessity for opening a Vein in the Arm.