CONVULSIONS, a form of disease very frequently affecting infancy, in which the body is thrown into violent spasmodic contractions, the sensibility and voluntary motion being for a time suspended. A fit of C. may last from a few minutes to some hours, and may readily prove fatal, if not relieved within a short period. The first symptom observed is often a twitching of particular muscles or groups of muscles, and a change in the habitual expression or color of the face, with distension of the features, and turn ing of the globes of the eyes suddenly upwards. The fingers are sometimes clenched in the palm, and the feet turned inwards; sometimes, however, C. occur absolutely with out warnings of this kind, and even in the midst of perfect apparent health. Their cause is usually to be found in some source of irritation, capable of producing fever if long continued; as, for instance, disordered dentition, worms in the intestine, hooping cough, etc. Most epidemic fevers arc also apt to be attended, in children, by C. in their early stages; and diseases of the brain and its membranes at every stage of their prog ress. C. are greatly promoted by bad ventilation and injudicious feeding, with deficient exercise; and a great part of the cure consists in discovering and removing the causes of the disease.
When a child is suddenly seized with C.. or with a tendency to spasm, such as twitching of the features, or contractions of the lingers and toes, it should be placed at once in a very free current of air, with its feet towards the fire; the extremities should be kept warm, and a cold lotion may be applied to the head, especially if there Is much flushing of the face; a little castor oil may be given if the bowels are confined; and if there is flatulence, the belly may be rubbed with a warm hand, or with some simple stimulating liniment, such as camphorated oil. Not much more can be done
without medical assistance; but in the event of the case being very serious, and medical aid at a great distance, it might perhaps be right to cause the child to inhale a little chloroform, great care being taken that plenty of air is also admitted to the lungs. The strictly medical treatment commonly consists in the administration of medicines adapted to the state of the bowels, with the application of cold to the head, and some times the inhalation of chloroform. Leeches and bleeding are very rarely useful, though too often employed.
C. are rare amongst horses and cattle. In young dogs, however, they frequently occur from intestinal worms, disordered digestion, or in connection with distemper or other debilitating diseases: they usually disappear when their special causes are removed.