The fact of a person who was perfectly sober
and sensible a little time before, being found in a state of
insensibility. 3. The absence, in apoplexy, of the _smell of drink_ on
applying the nose to the mouth. 4. A person in a fit of apoplexy cannot
be roused at all; in drunkenness he mostly can, to a certain extent.

2639. _Distinction between Apoplexy and Hysteria_.--Hysterics mostly
happen in young, nervous, unmarried women; and are attended with
convulsions, sobbing, laughter, throwing about of the body, &c. &c.

2640. _Distinction between Apoplexy and Poisoning by Opium_.--It is
exceedingly difficult to distinguish between these two cases. In
poisoning by opium, however, we find the particular smell of the drug in
the patient's breath. We should also, in forming our opinion, take into
consideration the person's previous conduct--whether he has been low and
desponding for some time before, or has ever talked about committing
suicide.

2641. EPILEPSY.--_Falling Sickness_.--Those fits mostly happen, at any
rate for the first time, to young people, and are more common in boys
than girls. They are produced by numerous causes.--_Symptoms_. The fit
may be preceded by pains in the head, palpitations, &c. &c.; but it
mostly happens that the person falls down insensible suddenly, and
without any warning whatever. The eyes are distorted, so that only their
whites can be seen; there is mostly foaming from the mouth; the fingers
are clinched; and the body, especially on one side, is much agitated;
the tongue is often thrust out of the mouth. When the fit goes off, the
patient feels drowsy and faint, and often sleeps soundly for some
time.--_Treatment_. During the fit, keep the patient flat on his back,
with his head slightly raised, and prevent him from doing any harm to
himself; dash cold water into his face, and apply smelling-salts to his
nose; loosen his shirt collar, &c.; hold a piece of wood about as thick
as a finger--the handle of a tooth-brush or knife will do as
well--between the two rows of teeth, at the back part of the mouth. This
will prevent the tongue from being injured. A teaspoonful of common salt
thrust into the patient's mouth, during the fit, is of much service. The
after-treatment of these fits is various, and depends entirely upon
their causes. A good general rule, however, is always to keep the bowels
well open, and the patient quiet, and free from fatigue, worry, and
excess of all kinds.

2642. _Fain