Frances Proctor Ames' Thesis on Eclampsia, undated

Letter writing

Ames, Frances Proctor, 1856-1948

Eclampsia

Thesis and dissertation

This is a photograph of Frances Proctor Ames' thesis written about eclampsia. Eclampsia is a pregnancy complication in which women may experience seizures. The thesis is undated.

Ames, Frances Proctor, 1856-1948

State University of New York at Buffalo. University Archives

undated

Ames, Frances Proctor, 1856-1948

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RG9-12-1043_1_5_012

2016-05-10

Frances Proctor Ames Papers, 1882-1948 (RG 9/12/1043)

LIB-UA041

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Thesis
Eclampsia
Frances D Proctor
Thesis
Thesis
Eclampsia
Frances D Proctor
Eclampsia
T Thesis
Eclampsia


The predisposing causes are
heredity, and a very nervous
irritable temperament. Convulsions,
unless they are epileptic, are the
most common among children
under seven years of age, and
this is said to be accounted
for by the great predominance
of the spinal over the cerebral
system. It has been believed
that children of a delicate
constitution are more liable to
eclampsia than those who
are more robust for a child
may be strong physically and


vacant stare and sometimes
a peculiar smile. As the attack
comes on the movements begin
about the head. the eyes are
rolled about, or may be fixed,
the muscles of the face are drawn
and the features greatly distorted,
next the upper extremities are rapidly
thrown about in every possible
way. the lower extremities are
not so much affected. The con-
vulsions may affect only one
side. It is said that convulsions
are always accompanied y more
or less spasm of the glottis and


the muscles of the chest also: so
it may be seen how any
obstruction, as from pneumonia
or hooping cough may cause the
convulsions Then in indigestion
the nerves supplying the stomach
are from the same nervous centre
as those supplying the glottis.
And those controlling the evacuations
are from the spinal system so the
effect from intestinal accumulations
is conveyed directly to that centre.
Children will have eclampsia
for years at different periods
or may have but a single attack


It is important in the diagno-
sis to determine to which class
the convulsions belong. The only
disease with which it can be
confounded is epilepsy. If the
attack comes on suddenly with-
out any symptoms and is
follow by unconsciousness it
is probably epilepsy.
There is always frothing at
the mouth when the fit is
epileptic. The age also may
help to decide the younger the
child the more likely it is
eclampsia and especially if


the child is excitable, and nervous
while if the person is nearing
adult life and the attack is
followed by perfect health
between the periods, it is epi-
lepsy. The prognosis and treat-
ment depend greatly upon a
correct diagnosis. It is quite dif
ficult when a fit comes on
suddenly to decide whether it
is idiopathic or sympathetic the
Latter ushering in some of the
diseases which they complicate, or
they may be symptomatic of
cerebral disease, and the decision


will have to be made from
the symptoms which follow.
When convulsions seem during any
of the diseases which they com-
plicate they are almost always
sympathetic, but may be symp
toms of disease especially when
followed by headache, when
the convulsions accompany other
diseases from which the child
seems wholly to recover they are
sympathetic. The prognosis depends
much upon the stage of the
disease at which the convulsions
occur, in scarlatenia if they


happen occur at the beginning it
is apt to prove fatal, but
in other diseases the contrary
In the sympathetic class although
recovery may take place the
consequences are likely to be
very grave; the most common
are hemiplegia and disorders of
the mind and vision
Treatment: first remove irritating
cause, and place the patient
in a well ventilated room, this
is sometimes enough to stop the
paroxysm. Loosen the clothing.
It is always well to put the


patient in a warm bath.
If the patient is of a strong
and robust constitution
bloodletting may be employed
and especially if there is much
congestion about the head.
If the child is not in condition
for this, leeches or cups may
be used. An emetic is often
used with good results
The means to induce vomiting
may be tickling the [?auces]
or ipecacuanha.
Opium may be given although
it should always be used


with great care when given to
hildren, it should not be used
n there is a great determination
blood to the head, sleepiness or
coma are also contra indications
to its use. Chloroform is very
often given and anaesthesia
may be continued for hours
allowing it to pass off often
enough to feed the child, and
no bad results have followed
its use, Bromide potassium
is often used, When intestinal
accumulations are the cause
purgatives may be given.

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