end in an institution.

When these drugs are taken continuously, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness,
confusion of thought and speech, lapses of memory, palpitation, furred
tongue, unsteady walk, acne and other symptoms of "bromism" may arise,
whereupon the patient must stop taking bromides and see a doctor, who will
substitute other drugs for a time.

If heart palpitation be troublesome while using bromides, take a
teaspoonful of sal volatile in water.

See a doctor if you can; _until_ you see him, get from a chemist:

Potassii bromidi 10 grains.
Sodii bromidi 10 grains.
Boracis purificati 5 grains.
Aquae 1 fluid ounce.
Two tablespoonfuls in water three times a
day after meals.

This prescription is for an adult. If the patient be under twenty-one, tell
the chemist his age, and he will make it up proportionately.

Victims who have seizures with some regularity at a certain time, should
take the three doses in one, two hours before the attack is expected. If
there are long intervals between attacks, cease taking bromides after one
fit and recommence three weeks before the next seizure is apprehended. When
there is an interval of six months or more between attacks, take no drugs.

Bromides in solution are unpalatable, patients grow careless of regularity
and dosage.

You must learn from your doctor and your own experience the prescription,
time and dose best suited to your case, and then _never miss a dose until
you have been free from fits for two years_, for the beneficial action of
bromide depends on the tissues becoming and remaining "saturated" with the
drug. Never give up bromides suddenly after long use, but gradually reduce
the dose.

It is just when the disease has been brought under control, that patients
consider further doctor's bills an unnecessary expense, with the result
that a little later the fits recur, and a tedious treatment has to be
commenced over again.

No value can be placed on any specific for epilepsy until it has been
thoroughly tested for some years, and so proved that its effects are
permanent, for almost any treatment is of value for a time, possibly
through the agency of suggestion.

* * * * *

CHAPTER XX

PATENT MEDICINES

"Men who prescribe purifications and spells and other illiberal
practices of like kind."--Hippocrates.

"...Corrupted
By spell and medicines bought of mountebanks."