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Dropsy of the Brain.Symptoms.-The symptoms which indicate dropsy of the brain are usually preceded for months by a mild inflammation of the membranes covering this organ. This inflammation is indicated by impairment of health in the child; for the subject of the disease is usually a child; he becomes dull and moody, constantly drowsy, but usually sleeping less soundly than before; he suffers from head ache and pains in the limbs; is apt to lay his head in his mother's lap without uttering any special complaint to account for his unusual depression of spirits; in many cases there will be sudden spells of vomiting without any especial feeling of nausea, and not to be accounted for by errors in diet. When the inflammation has lasted a considerable time the water begins to collect around the brain, and additional symptoms become manifest. These consist in impairment in various muscles ; the child's gait becomes uncertain and peculiar ; he may drag one foot after him, stumbles over slight obstacles, and perhaps staggers while walking. Later, there may occur some impairment in the movements of the face, the child displaying an inclination to squint; finally there occurs a paralysis of certain parts of the body, stupor, delirium, convulsions, or other symptoms, which excite attention and alarm the friends. A fatal result is apt to follow soon after the manifestation of these symptoms. In some cases the symptoms are confined to the brain and muscles, as indicated in the foregoing paragraph ; at other times there is evident, also, some unnatural condition in the abdomen ; the child 's belly becomes swollen and tender to the touch ; it may also be bloated, though in the majority of instances the abdomen is sunken ; the bowels are usually constipated, though there may be some diarrhea at intervals. Dropsy of the brain from this cause usually ends fatally, espe cially if it be undetected until the more serious symptoms such as paralysis and stupor occur. It not infrequently happens that several children of the same family die in succession during the early years of life from this cause. Treatment. - The only hope of escape from the usually fatal result of this disease lies in the improvement of the general health. This can be best accomplished by a change of residence and of occupation, by the use of tonic remedies and nutritious food. The medicines which will prove most useful are iron, quinine, strychnine and cod liver oil, directions for administering which have been already given in discussing plumonary consumption. In addition, it may be well to give the iodide of potassium in doses adapted to the age of the patient. Thus, a child of three years may take two or three grains of this remedy three or four times a day. The following prescription may be administered: Iodide of potassium, - - One drachm and a half. Tincture of nux vomica, - Two drachms. Syrup of tolu, - An ounce and a half. Water, - - - - To make four ounces. Mix ; take a teaspoonful after meals. 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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