Stupor Health Dictionary

A condition of stupor (see under UNCONSCIOUSNESS), resembling sleep, that is usually caused by a drug. It may also occur as a result of liver or kidney failure which causes URAEMIA. The affected person has signi?cantly reduced awareness and is hard to arouse. Treatment is of the underlying cause and the normal precautions for caring for an unconscious or semiconscious subject should be taken. (See APPENDIX 1: BASIC FIRST AID.).... narcosis

Substances that induce stupor and eventually UNCONSCIOUSNESS. Used in the relief of severe pain, people can become ?rst tolerant of them – so requiring larger doses – and then dependent (see also ANALGESICS; HYPNOTICS; TOLERANCE; DEPENDENCE).... narcotics

Inducing stupor... stupefacient

The BRAIN is the organ of the mind. Normal conscious alertness depends upon its continuous adequate supply with oxygen and glucose, both of which are essential for the brain cells to function normally. If either or both of these are interrupted, altered consciousness results. Interruption may be caused by three broad types of process affecting the brain stem: the reticular formation (a network of nerve pathways and nuclei-connecting sensory and motor nerves to and from the cerebrum, cerebellum, SPINAL CORD and cranial nerves) and the cerebral cortex. The three types are di?use brain dysfunction – for example, generalised metabolic disorders such as URAEMIA or toxic disorders such as SEPTICAEMIA; direct effects on the brain stem as a result of infective, cancerous or traumatic lesions; and indirect effects on the brain stem such as a tumour or OEDEMA in the cerebrum creating pressure within the skull. Within these three divisions are a large number of speci?c causes of unconsciousness.

Unconsciousness may be temporary, prolonged or inde?nite (see PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE (PVS)), depending upon the severity of the initiating incident. The patient’s recovery depends upon the cause and success of treatment, where given. MEMORY may be affected, as may motor and sensory functions; but short periods of unconsciousness as a result, say, of trauma have little obvious e?ect on brain function. Repeated bouts of unconsciousness (which can happen in boxing) may, however, have a cumulatively damaging e?ect, as can be seen on CT (COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY) scans of the brain.

POISONS such as CARBON MONOXIDE (CO), drug overdose, a fall in the oxygen content of blood (HYPOXIA) in lung or heart disease, or liver or kidney failure harm the normal chemical working or metabolism of nerve cells. Severe blood loss will cause ANOXIA of the brain. Any of these can result in altered brain function in which impairment of consciousness is a vital sign.

Sudden altered consciousness will also result from fainting attacks (syncope) in which the blood pressure falls and the circulation of oxygen is thereby reduced. Similarly an epileptic ?t causes partial or complete loss of consciousness by causing an abrupt but temporary disruption of the electrical activity in the nerve cells in the brain (see EPILEPSY).

In these events, as the brain’s function progressively fails, drowsiness, stupor and ?nally COMA ensue. If the cause is removed (or when the patient spontaneously recovers from a ?t or faint), normal consciousness is usually quickly regained. Strokes (see STROKE) are sometimes accompanied by a loss of consciousness; this may be immediate or come on slowly, depending upon the cause or site of the strokes.

Comatose patients are graded according to agreed test scales – for example, the GLASGOW COMA SCALE – in which the patient’s response to a series of tests indicate numerically the level of coma.

Treatment of unconscious patients depends upon the cause, and range from ?rst-aid care for someone who has fainted to hospital intensive-care treatment for a victim of a severe head injury or massive stroke.... unconsciousness

The ancient disease cholera resurfaces from time to time. Thousands still die each year. It is an acute infectious disease caused by vibrio cholerae and is notifiable under the Public Heath (Control of Diseases) Act 1984. Human Carriers maintain infection. Incubation may be from a few hours to a number of days. See: NOTIFIABLE DISEASES.

It is spread by polluted water as in the case of the composer, Tchaikovsky, who died imprudently drinking unboiled water during a cholera epidemic, despite warnings of his friends. It is transmitted also by milk, shellfish and by the faeces of infected people.

Symptoms. Profuse rice-water diarrhoea, vomiting and shock from severe loss of body fluids. Muscle cramps, cyanosis, stupor.

Alternatives. Powders. Formula: Tormentil root 2; Ginger 8; Poplar bark 2; Ipecacuanha half; Gum Myrrh quarter; Cloves; Cayenne quarter; Slippery Elm 5. (Reformed School of Medicine, W. Beach MD, USA) No dosage recorded. Suggested hourly dose: Liquid Extract: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. Powders: 500mg.

Tinctures. Formula No 1. Turkey Rhubarb 3; Hops 2; Peppermint 1. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons in water hourly, as tolerated.

Tinctures. Formula No 2. Turkey Rhubarb 2; Camphor (spirits) 1; Capsicum quarter; Peppermint quarter. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons hourly, as tolerated.

Orange berries. (Maeso lanceolata) Tea drunk by natives before visiting cholera epidemic areas. (Dr Isno Kufo, University of California, Berkeley)

Barberry. Berberine alkaloid. (Indian Journal of Medical Research, 50. 732, 1962)

Camphor. In the Cholera epidemic of 1831, a Russian Consol-General reported 70 cases in two places, all were cured. Elsewhere, of 1270 cases only 108 died. Practitioner use: Spirits of Camphor (10 per cent Camphor in 90 per cent brandy, gin or Vodka). 0.3 to 2ml (5 to 30 drops). Effective in the early stages. Also, rub into soles of feet and use as an inhalant.

Calamint. Old European remedy.

Enema. Bring 2 pints (1 litre) water to boiling point. Allow to cool. Add 20 drops Goldenseal and 20 drops Tincture Myrrh; for soothing and healing injection.

Diet. During an outbreak of cholera: avoid unboiled or unbottled water, uncooked seafood, vegetables and fruit unless fruit can be peeled.

Strict sanitary hygiene. Wash hands frequently.

Recovery period. Replacement of body fluids: glasses of boiled water to which 2-3 teaspoons cider vinegar has been added. Make up potassium loss with 3-4 bananas daily. Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium. Multivitamins.

Alternative rehydration therapy: spring or bottled water with sugar and salt; salt to replace water in the blood, sugar to promote absorption. Glass of water to contain 1 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons sugar.

To be treated by a general medical practitioner or hospital specialist.

CHOLERETIC. An agent which reduces cholesterol levels by excreting cholesterol. It also causes bile to flow freely. Differs from a cholagogue in that the latter increases the flow of bile (Artichoke). ... cholera

Most antifreeze in the contains ethylene glycol, which is poisonous.

Drinking antifreeze initially produces effects similar to alcohol intoxication, but vomiting, stupor, seizures, and coma may follow; acute kidney failure may occur within 24–36 hours.

Antifreeze poisoning requires immediate medical attention.... antifreeze poisoning

Disorder of consciousness, intellect, or mental functioning that is of organic (physical), as opposed to psychiatric, origin. Causes include degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease; infections; certain drugs; or the effects of injury, stroke, or tumour. Symptoms range from mild confusion to stupor or coma. They may also include disorientation, memory loss, hallucinations, and delusions (see delirium). In the chronic form, there is a progressive decline in intellect, memory, and behaviour (see dementia). Treatment is more likely to be successful with the acute form. In chronic cases, irreversible brain damage may already have occurred. (See also psychosis.)... brain syndrome, organic

n. a state in which a person becomes mute or stuporous or adopts bizarre postures. The features include waxy flexibility (flexibilitas cerea), in which the limbs may be moved passively by another person into positions that are then retained for hours on end. Other common features include non-goal-directed excitement, *posturing, *negativism, rigidity, and command automatism (automatic compliance with instructions). Catatonia usually occurs in the context of *schizophrenia, but is now rarely seen in developed countries. It remains common in developing countries. Treatment includes high-dose *benzodiazepines and *electroconvulsive therapy. —catatonic adj.... catatonia

a syndrome characterized by approximate answers, i.e. the patient gives grossly and absurdly false replies to questions, but the reply shows that the question has been understood. For example, the question “What colour is snow?” may elicit the reply “Green”. This can be accompanied by odd behaviour or episodes of *stupor. The condition may be due to *conversion disorder or to conscious malingering, especially (historically) in prisoners. [S. J. M. Ganser (1853–1931), German psychiatrist]... ganser syndrome

combining form denoting narcosis; stupor.... narco

n. a drug that induces stupor and insensibility and relieves pain. Now largely obsolete in medical contexts, the term was used particularly for morphine and other derivatives of opium (see opiate) but also referred to other drugs that depress brain function (e.g. general anaesthetics and hypnotics). In legal terms a narcotic is any addictive drug subject to illegal use.... narcotic

suffix denoting 1. a diseased condition. Examples: nephrosis (of the kidney); leptospirosis (caused by Leptospira species). 2. any condition. Example: narcosis (of stupor). 3. an increase or excess. Example: leucocytosis (of leucocytes).... osis

Myristica fragrans

FAMILY: Myristicaceae

SYNONYMS: M. officinalis, M. aromata, Nux moschata, myristica (oil), mace (husk), macis (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An evergreen tree up to 20 metres high with a greyish-brown smooth bark, dense foliage and small dull-yellow flowers. ‘Mace’ is the name given to the bright red netlike aril or husk surrounding the nutmeg shell and seed, which is contained within the fleshy fruit.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to the Moluccas and nearby islands; cultivated in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies, especially Grenada.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam (or water) distillation from 1. the dried worm eaten nutmeg seed (the worms eat away all the starch and fat content); 2. the dried orangebrown aril or husk – mace; and 3. an oleoresin is also produced in small quantities by solvent extraction from mace. The oil is also distilled in the USA and Europe from the imported nutmegs.

OTHER SPECIES: Indonesia and Sri Lanka produce the so-called ‘East Indian’ nutmeg which is considered superior, while Grenada produces the ‘West Indian’ nutmeg – see also Botanical Classification.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: Nutmeg and mace are widely used as domestic spices in the East and West. They have been used for centuries as a remedy mainly for digestive and kidney problems. In Malaysia they are used during pregnancy to strengthen and tone the uterine muscles. Grated nutmeg with lard is used for piles. A fixed oil of nutmeg is also used in soap and candle making.

Nutmeg is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia indicated for flatulent dyspepsia, nausea, diarrhoea, dysentery, and topically for rheumatism.

ACTIONS: Analgesic, anti-emetic, antioxidant, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, digestive, emmenagogue, gastric secretory stimulant, larvicidal, orexigenic, prostaglandin inhibitor, stimulant, tonic.

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. A water-white or pale yellow mobile liquid with a sweet, warm-spicy odour and a terpeney top-note. 2. A water white or pale yellow mobile liquid with a sweet, warm-spicy scent. 3. An orange-brown viscous liquid with a fresh, spicy-warm, balsamic fragrance. It has good masking power.

They blend well with oakmoss, lavandin, bay leaf, Peru balsam, orange, geranium, clary sage, rosemary, lime, petitgrain, mandarin, coriander and other spice oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons (88 per cent approx.): camphene, pinene, dipentene, sabinene, cymene, with lesser amounts of geraniol, borneol, linalol, terpineol, myristicin (4–8 per cent), safrol and elemincin, among others. Mace oil contains similar constituents but contains more myristicin.

SAFETY DATA: Both nutmeg and mace are generally non-toxic, non-irritant and non sensitizing. However, used in large doses they show signs of toxicity such as nausea, stupor and tachycardia, believed to be due to the myristicin content. ‘Large quantities are hallucinogenic and excitant to the motor cortex.’. On this basis nutmeg (especially the West Indian type) is probably safer to use than mace. Use in moderation, and with care in pregnancy.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Circulation muscles and joints: Arthritis, gout, muscular aches and pains, poor circulation, rheumatism.

Digestive system: Flatulence, indigestion, nausea, sluggish digestion.

Immune system: Bacterial infection.

Nervous system: Frigidity, impotence, neuralgia, nervous fatigue.

OTHER USES: Used as a flavouring agent in pharmaceuticals, especially analgesic and tonic preparations. Nutmeg and mace oil are used in soaps, lotions, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes. Mace oleoresin is used in colognes and perfumes, especially men’s fragrances. Both oils and oleoresin are used in most major food categories, including alcoholic and soft drinks.... nutmeg