Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. The seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals. People may have strange sensations and emotions or behave strangely. They may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness.
Epilepsy has many possible causes, including illness, brain injury, and abnormal brain development. In many cases, the cause is unknown.
Doctors use brain scans and other tests to diagnose epilepsy. It is important to start treatment right away. There is no cure for epilepsy, but medicines can control seizures for most people. When medicines are not working well, surgery or implanted devices such as vagus nerve stimulators may help. Special diets can help some children with epilepsy.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Epilepsy
During the seizure, amyl nitrite is the remedy most likely to be of service; chloroform must be used, if at all, with caution. To prevent the paroxysms. prescribe the bromides, particularly potassium bromide, which must be given well diluted, after meals. beginning with 10 grain doses and increasing to 25 or 30 grs., provided it does not disturb the digestion. If there is anemia, Combine with ferrous bromide or with Solution Gold and Arsenic Bmmides, N., B. & Co. Bromides of sodium and ammonium may be often advantage ously combined with the potassium salt. In the more chronic cases, acetanilid may be a better remedy than potassium bromide. In syphilitic cases potassium iodide in full doses must be used instead of the bromide. Other remedies of im portance are belladonna (combined with bromides), cannabis indica, digitalis, horse-nettle and chloral hydrate. In children, ascertain whether the irritation is due to worms and treat accordingly.1