Symptoms

This condition may be the result of either a fall, or blow on the head, or it may be occasioned by a violent jerk to the body, especially to the lower part of the spine. After one or other of these accidents, the symptoms of concussion will be: - Unconsciousness, and loss of power of moving, a small and feeble pulse, the pupil of the eye insensible to light, the complexion pallid, skin cold, and there may be vomiting. Convulsions, also, are likely to occur if a child is the subject of concussion.

Treatment

Small quantities of stimulants, such as wine, brandy, ether, or salvolatile in water, should be given every half hour, if the patient can swallow, until signs of reaction begin to show themselves. This will be known by the restoration of warmth and colour to the surface of the body, together with increased force in the pulse, and gradually reviving consciousness.

From this point, health may be re-established, or inflammation, or some other affection of the brain, may follow. Hence the importance of cautious and judicious administration of stimulants during the stage of depression which follows the shock.

Convulsions, or Fits, are, strictly speaking, symptoms, not a disease; thus they are seen in the low weak state of the termination of disease of various kinds; they are seen in hysterical excitement, and are caused generally by the disturbance of dentition.

Treatment

At the time of the convulsions but little can really be done - cold water maybe dashed on the face, and mustard plasters applied to the soles of the feet and calves of the legs.

In the fits of children - the child's body being immersed in a hot bath - cold water should be poured on the head from a jug held at a good height. The hot bath, however, cannot be repeated if the fits recur with frequency; the cold water can always with safety be poured on the head.

Hysterical convulsions, or fits, also require the free application of the cold douche on the face and head.

The curative treatment of convulsions can only be attempted during their intervals, according to their several causes.