is a slight incoherency or the patient performs some almost automatic
action. He may begin to undress himself, and on returning to consciousness
find that he has partially disrobed. He may rub his beard or face, or may
spit about in a careless way. An eminent physician states: "One of my
patients, after an attack, was in the habit of tearing anything he could
lay his hands on, particularly books; violent actions have been committed
and assaults made, frequently giving rise to questions which come before
court. In the majority of cases of "petit mal" (light attacks) convulsions
finally occur, at first slight, but ultimately the grand mal (major
attacks) becomes well developed, and the attacks may then alternate."

Recovery.--The authority above goes on to say: "This may be given today in
the words of Hippocrates: 'The prognosis in epilepsy is unfavorable when
the disease is congenital (that is, existing at birth), when it endures to
manhood, and when it occurs in a grown person without any previous cause.
The cure may be attempted in young persons but not in old.' '' Death
rarely occurs during the fit, but it may happen if the patient is eating.
If the attacks are frequent and the patient has marked mental disturbance
the conditions are unfavorable. Males have a better outlook than females.

[290 MOTHERS' REMEDIES ]

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT.--What to do during the Attack of Epilepsy.--Keep
the patient from injuring himself, loosen the clothing, take off the
collar or anything tight about the neck. Place a cork or spool or
tooth-brush handle between the teeth to keep the patient from biting his
tongue, but attach a stout cord to the object and hold it in that way.

Preventive and general treatment.--In the case of children the parents
should be made to understand that in the great majority of cases epilepsy
is incurable. The patients need firm but kind treatment. It does not
render a person incapable of following some occupations. "Julius Caesar
and Napoleon were subjects of epilepsy." The disease causes gradual
impairment of the mind, and if such patients become extremely irritable or
show signs of violence, they should be placed under supervision in an
asylum. A person with this disease should not marry.

Diet.--Give the patient a light diet at regular hours, and the stomach
should never be overloaded. There are cases in which meat is injurious,
and it should not be eaten more than once a day and at noon time. A
vegeta