The store-house of physical practice being a general treatise of the causes and signs of all diseases afflicting human bodies : together with the shortest, plainest and safest way of curing them, by method, medicine and diet : to which is added, for the benefit of young practicers, several choice forms of medicines used by the London physicians / by John Pechey ...

CHAP. X. Of a Convulsion.

A Convulsion, in Latin, Spasmus, is an involuntary and perpetual Retraction of the Nerves and Muscles to∣wards their Original.

It is twofold, one properly so called, to which the De∣finition above mentioned agrees; the other is rather a Con∣vulsive Motion; and they are thus distinguished: In a true Convulsion, the retraction of the Muscle is continual, and the Member immoveable: In a Convulsive Motion, the Member is variously agitated, as in the Falling-sick∣ness.

They also differ in their Causes; for a true Convulsion proceeds from fulness or emptiness, a Convulsive Motion from Irritation.

A true Convulsion is divided into universal and particu∣lar; an universal takes its rise either from the Brain, and then the Muscles of the Face are also seised with Convulsi∣ons; or it arises from the beginning of the Spinal Marrow, then the Muscles of the Head, or those that move the Spine forward or backward are seised with Convulsions: Upon which account there are three sorts of Convulsions; the first is called Emprosthotonos, wherein the Body with the Head and Neck are violently contracted forward, so that the Chin touches the Breast, and the Body represents the Keel of a Ship, and sometimes is bent like a Bow, and the Head touches the Knees: In this sort, two Mus∣cles that bend the Head forward are chiefly affected.

The second is called Opisthotonos; and in it the Body is bent backward: The twelve Muscles that extend the Head, or some of them, being Convulsed.

The third is called Tetanos, wherein the Muscles before and behind are equally contracted, and the Parts kept as it were in Aequilibrio. This is the strongest of all; it ari∣sing from a Contraction of all the Muscles.

A particular Convulsion is caused by the Contraction of some one part, the Nerve that serves for its Motion being ill affected, which has sometimes a peculiar Name from

the effect or symptom; as a Convulsion of the Muscles moving the Eyes is called Strabismus, that of the Jaws and Muscles of the Temples 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. A Convulsion of the Mouth, from a Contraction of the broad Muscle arising only from one part, is called the Dog Convulsion: But if there be a Contraction in both sides, it is call'd Risus Sardonicus; but sometimes the Mouth is distorted by the Palsie, by Relaxation of the other Muscle. A Convulsion of the Yard is call'd Satyriasis, or Priapismus. Other Convulsions have no proper Names.

The immediate Causes of a true Convulsion, according to Hippocrates and Galen, are repletion and inanition, the mediate Causes which occasion a repletion, and ina∣nition are various; a Flegmatick humour flowing into the Nerves is supposed to distend them, as to their Breadth, and so they must be necessarily contracted as to their length. Another cause of Convulsion from repletion, is an inflamation of the Nervous Parts.

The Causes of Convulsions by Emptiness, are all immo∣derate Evacuations by Bleeding, Vomiting, Sweat, and a Consumption of innate Moisture, which is occasioned by Burning and Coliquative Feavers, by immoderate Labour, by Watchings and Cares, and immoderate Venery.

A Convulsive Motion proceeds from Matter that Velli∣cates and Pricks the Nervous Parts, which most common∣ly is malignant; for such a humour commonly happens in malignant Feavers: It is also occasioned by Worms, Poi∣son, and by Hysterick Fits.

A Convulsion which seises many Parts, especially near the Head, is dangerous; and that which seises the Mus∣cles of the Breast, is also dangerous; for the Sick may be suffocated by it.

A Convulsion arising from great Fluxes of Blood, or over-purging is dangerous, if not deadly; so is a Convul∣sion arising from a Phrensie, and upon a Feaver. Hypocrates says, that those who are seised with a Tetanos, die within four days; but that if they live longer, they recover.

CƲRE. The Cure of this Disease is to be varied ac∣cording to the variety of the Causes. That which hap∣pens from Emptiness is incurable. After Bleeding, or it being omitted, if it be not convenient, strong Purges must be used: but respect must be had to the strength of the Pati∣ent:

After Bleeding, apply Cupping-glasses, with Scari∣fication, if Blood has not been drawn before, otherwise without Scarification: They must be first applied to the remoter parts, afterwards to the parts near the affected part: But if the Legs are Convulsed, they must be ap∣plied to the Buttocks and Loins; if the Arms, to the Neck and Shoulders: Blysters are also applied with good success to the parts opposite to the part affected. In the mean time, after the first Purge, the Matter is to be pre∣pared, with Medicines proper for the Head. Note, that Castor ought to be added to Purges in this case. Sharp Glysters are frequently to be injected, such as were men∣tioned in the Chapter of an Apoplexy. The part affected must be anointed with the following, or some other pro∣per Linement.

Take of the Oyntment of Marsh-mallows six Ounces, Oyl of Turpentine and Camomile each one Ounce, Oyl of Lavender three Drams, of Oyl of Foxes half an Ounce, Liquid Storax two Ounces, wherewith anoint the affect∣ed part, and the Spine of the Back frequently, with a hot Hand.

After anointing the parts, wrap them in a warm Sheep-Skin, just taken from the Sheep. Sheeps Lungs, Pidgeons or Hens cut in the middle, and applied hot, are also good. It is also good to put the affected part into the Belly of an Ox, or Sheep newly kill'd, and keep it there as long as it is warm: but the use of Sulphurous Baths is most suc∣cessful.

When a violent Pain accompanies the Convulsion, use the following Linement.

Take of the Oyls of Violets, Lillies, Camomile, each one Ounce and an half, of Oyl of sweet Almonds, Mastich, and Roses, each one Ounce; mingle them, and anoint the part affected.

Sneesing Powders and Apophlegmatisms are also proper in this Case.