This is a popular name for many different affections. Properly speaking, it should be confined to acute mental derangement. There is delirium, tremor, wasting, refusal of food, attempt to injure himself or others, sometimes stripping naked. With all this excitement there is absence of any increase of temperature. This distinguishes it from ordinary fever with delirium. Of course this cannot be dealt with in a work on domestic medicine. Scarlet fever with violent brain symptoms is sometimes called “brain fever,” but more correctly it is given to typhus fever, in which the brain symptoms are always severe. The term is also applied to inflammation of the brain or its covering membranes (meninges as these are called, and meningitis as the disease is called).
Meningitis is more common in children than in adults. The children of consumptive parents are especially liable to it. It is a very fatal disease, and when recovery does take place, it is long before the patient can exert his brain again.
General Treatment.- Most vigilant nursing, and feeding with small quantities of the most nourishing food. It will sometimes be necessary to shave the head.
Medicines.-(Every hour until relieved.)
Belladonna3.-
Flushed face, wild delirium, bright eyes.
Bryon.3.-
Fever more of typhoid type, low delirium, head drawn back.