Forms of Temporary Insanity. A Friend of Reform wants to know what medicines or preparations will produce temporary insanity-meaning a mental derangement of a week or two-and then pass off without entailing disastrous consequences. ANSWER.-There are several medicines, besides alcohol, capable of inducing an insane condition of the brain. Our Insane Asylums show that from one-fourth to one-third of all cases admitted, have been made insane by the habitual use of alcohol. This fluid, although it mixes readily with the serum (or water) of the blood, never ceases to be alcohol. It produces a contraction and condensation of the tissues, and liberates the brain for the time being, very much to the enjoyment of the mind and social feelings; then ensues the second stage, called inebriation, or drunkenness, which is an insanity, exhibiting a melancholy derangement of the intellectual faculties; and lastly, the individual is correspondingly depressed, relaxed in all the fibers, and rendered unfit for the manifestation of either mind or muscle. The middle stage is productive of all those oddities and eccentricities which usually characterize the inebriated individual. Thus, by the temporary insanities produced by alcohol, we get: 1. The Fighting Drunkard. 11. The Sentimental Drunkard. You will observe that, fundamentally considered, the condi tion of the Drunkard is that of insanity. The variations are traceable to the natural propensities of the individual character, which, at such times, are not modified and controlled by the deeper life and understanding. This sort of mental derangement may be produced by the administration of a great variety of preparations. American Hellebore (Veratrum Viride,) Henbane (Hyoscyamus,) Foxglove (Digitalis,) Skunk's Cabbage (Symlocarpus,) Thorn-apple (Stramonium,) Indian Hemp (Cannabis Indicus,) Tobacco, Prussic Acid, Spurred Rye (Ergot,) &c., &c., and yet many other sedatives and inebriants may be mentioned, which, given either in tincture or by decoction, will, if taken in continued or over-doses, produce temporary insanity, and many visionary symptoms, always varying with the hereditary characteristics of the individual patient. The consequences of temporary insanity are not necessarily lasting or disastrous, And yet, years are sometimes wasted in the effort to restore diseased nerves. Brain Rest Absolutely Necessary. Brain rest is sometimes better than medicine, particularly in cases where the nervous system is deranged, and the digestion enfeebled. We cannot promise restoration of a nervous patient, even under favorable conditions, in a period of less than six months. We counsel you to engage in some employment not intellectual, during the period consecrated to the process of recuperation. Over you, at all times, is the Summer Land. You will receive, if you deserve, aid and comfort from its inhabitants. Cause of Brain Fits. In some cases we detect a diseased condition of the ganglia, extending each side of the spinal column. The upper portion of the spinal cord, the medulla oblongata, is enlarged as by an inflammation in its substance. The motor nerves are, consequently, disturbed; the right side being sometimes more diseased than the left, imparting an involuntary wish and tendency to roll or whirl as an amusement. As the nerves of seeing, and hearing, and tasting, arise near the diseased parts, it is but reasonable to expect that these senses will be gradually impaired. REMEDY.-There are but two paths of approach to the seat of the disorder-one, through the nerves of the stomach; the other, through the spinal column. Raw onions should be applied externally over the stomach every day, in the form of a poultice; also a small one, well macerated or grated, should be administered every morning and evening, mixed in molasses if desired. Magnetic treatment is capable of reaching the throne of the disturbance, through the spinal column. It should be used faithfully, with the human hand. It is necessary to keep the patient's head erect, or in a natural position, which may be effected by girdling the neck with a hair cushion. Treatment for Epileptic Fits. Fits of unconsciousness are caused by a sudden strangulation in the nervous circulation, which, from many causes, may take place along the track of the Pneumogastric nerves, some. where between the brain and the bottom of the stomach. An account of symptoms is deemed unnecessary. REMEDY.-The philosophy of curing this frightful malady is simply the removal of the tendency to arterial strangulation, and the consequent nervous suspension in the route of the sympathetic and pneumogastric nerves. An equal distribution of the vitalic forces is absolutely necessary. We, therefore, counsel you never to yield to the temptations of your appetite, to over-eat or to drink largely of any fluid. When a fit of hunger overtakes you, beware! for even then inverted Nature is preparing to adjust itself by a shock called "epilepsy." This surprise of the nervous system is accomplished by the righteous operation of long unbalanced forces. But, unhappily, if Nature does not attain her balance by a few shocks, the tendency is toward a greater loss of equilibrium in the brain and its ramified influences. Therefore, a gradual failure of memory and of intellectual vigor, even to imbecility, are the resulting conse quences. We make these remarks in order to enforce the import ance on parents, and mankind generally, of early attention to the fundamental causes of this malady. Remove the nervous strangulation, and instantly all the symptoms will depart; and the same is philosophically true of all nerve-pain, cramp, spasms, and paroxysmal affections. But in advanced stages of this disease, the treatment must be varied to suit temperaments and occupations. In every case of long-standing, we prescribe butter milk, whenever the thirsty symptoms begin, and it may be drank plentifully in response to the extra sensations of hunger. Wear a compress or bandage of either crushed wormwood or lifeeverlasting around the waist every night. During the day wear a little linen sack of equal parts of powdered belladonna and ironrust directly on the pit of the stomach. Do not fear the progress of this disease after you adopt the means of overcoming the causes in the arterial and nervous systems. Fits of Indigestion. Sometimes what is termed "Falling Sickness" is caused by a peculiar kind of indigestion. In such case, the disease becomes sympathetic with the digestive functions, and may be controlled mainly through the pneumogastric nerves. REMEDY.-Never eat out of season; nor between meals; not even an apple or a few nuts. No fruit or berries for supper A rigid system of hygiene must be enforced by the authority of your will and reason. Make the following paste: Powdered leaves of stramonium, one ounce; flower of sulphur, two ounces s; Spanish fly (cantharides,) powdered, twenty grains; iron filings, one ounce; and a small piece of burgundy pitch. Amalgamate these ingredients over a slow fire by stirring constantly. Put about one-quarter of this magnetic paste into a thin kid sack, and wear it next to your body, immediately over the pit of the stomach. It should be renewed about once in every six weeks. This, in connection with your Will-power and correct habits. will cure. tem. More than half of your distressing infirmity is caused by a periodical stagnation of nutrition in the small intestines. The chyle is not appropriately absorbed through the mesenteric sysThe sympathetic and pneumogastric nerves enter their just complaint at the throne, and seek from the brain (and the mind,) a full recognition of their wrongs, and plead for ample reparation. The effect of this struggle is a prostrating paroxysm. Brain Fits and Incipient Epilepsy. "Some two or three hours after eating (says a correspondent,) frequently, my eyes begin to blur, and after awhile I become quite deranged, very nervous, and at times so nervously excited that it would take ten men to hold me. These par oxysms will last about an hour, when I am suddenly relieved, and become exhausted and weak, perspiration will roll off me, and my nervous system is all unstrung. The only relief I have ever found has been obtained by eating! Eating will stop the trouble, if done when my eyes begin to blur; though lately that has not had so good an effect as formerly. I have increased very much in flesh within a few years." REMEDY.-The case is similar to one we treated and cured in 1847. Memory brings back every internal fact of the patient. |