The medical diseases of children . he spasm interferes mechani-cally with the venous returnfrom the parts ; but inasmuchas these swellings are absentin some cases of tetany andexactly similar swellings arefound in cases of diarrhoeawithout tetany, it seems likelythat in many cases, if not in all, the cedema is toxic in origin. The bulbar symptoms found Lintetany as it occurs in adults, do not appear to be present in infants,unless, indeed, they can be held to account for some of the casesof sudden death aiising in infants with tetany. In rare instances thespasm may affect the muscles of the tr
The medical diseases of children . he spasm interferes mechani-cally with the venous returnfrom the parts ; but inasmuchas these swellings are absentin some cases of tetany andexactly similar swellings arefound in cases of diarrhoeawithout tetany, it seems likelythat in many cases, if not in all, the cedema is toxic in origin. The bulbar symptoms found Lintetany as it occurs in adults, do not appear to be present in infants,unless, indeed, they can be held to account for some of the casesof sudden death aiising in infants with tetany. In rare instances thespasm may affect the muscles of the trunk. Trousseaus sign requires mention. It is brought out by encirclingand compressing the arms near the shoulder, so as to put pressure uponthe brachial nerves and vessels. Within about half a minute the handassumes the position of tetany if the infant has recently had an affected muscles show increased electrical excitability, and, asErb demonstrated, the anodic closure contraction becomes greater than the kathodic. 29. Fig. 83.—Tetany : Carpopedal Spasm in aCase of Congenital Dilatation of Large Intestine. 450 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Prognosis.—This in infantile cases depends upon the general stateof the patient, the gastro-intestinal condition being of special import-ance, but sudden death in cases of tetany is not very rare. The spasmitself can usually be relieved in a few days. In the tetany of older children with a dilated large intestine, althoughthe attack may be relieved there is a great tendency to recurrence, anda fatal issue is to be expected within a variable period of months. Treatment.—We have to relieve the spasm, to treat the gastro-intestinal tract, and to deal with the rickets underlying the the spasm opium is the best drug, and serves in addition toalleviate the pain which may be present, and to control hydrate and the bromides are also of value. In the treatmentof the alimentary tract lavage is of the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectpediatrics, bookyear1
