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Convulsions.The appearance of the child during a fit varies with the cause and with the condition. In many cases a certain premonitory condition is observed ; the child is fretful, restless, perhaps grinds the teeth while asleep. The fit often begins by a twitching of the muscles of the face, which soon extends through the body and the limbs ; the arms and legs are viole'ntly bent and straightened, the head often thrown back, the eyes widely open. In many instances the breathing is temporarily arrested, causing a blueness of the face and lips. Meanwhile the child may scream violently or seem simply bewildered. In another class of cases - called by nurses " inward fits "-the limbs are rigid, the body undergoes but little movement, the eyes roll unnaturally, the consciousness is lost. Whatever be the nature of the convulsion, it usually lasts but a minute or two, after which time the child falls into a deep sleep ; at other times, especially during some of the diseases already mentioned, a series of convulsions occur in rapid succession leaving the child exhausted and half unconscious. Treatment. - It is to be remembered that a convulsion is not a disease, but merely an indication of disease ; and that the first step in treatment consists in finding out if possible what the source of the irritation is. In many cases such source can be readily detected by a little care and patience ; at other times it seems impossible to ascribe the fits to anything else than a nervous condition of the child ; indeed there are many infants which seem to inherit a predisposition to convulsions ; in such children fits occur without apparent cause. These infants are usually the offspring of unhealthy parents, and are themselves sickly and illnourished. During the fit it may be well to loosen the child's clothing and dash cold water from the hand into its face ; the child should be laid flat without a pillow and fresh air admitted ; if a hot bath be convenient the child may be placed in it. If the infant be teething, and it be found that one or more teeth are just on the point of coming through the gum, subsequent fits can usually be averted by a judicious use of a lancet ; and in every instance the treatment consists not in curing the convulsion, but in removing the cause whenever that can be discovered. If there be constipation and the abdomen be swollen, an injection of soapy water or of the milk of asafcetida (one tablespoonful) may be given at once. If irritating food has been taken, an emetic of mustard and water may be given. If the head be hot and the face flushed, applications of cold cloths may be beneficial. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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