This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1858 Excerpt: ...of a branch of the middle meningeal artery; (2) between the membranes; (3) in the substance of the brain. Diagnosis.--The insensibility arising from compression may be distinguished from that which arises from concussion of the brain by observing, 1st. That the symptoms of concussion always follow the accident ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1858 Excerpt: ...of a branch of the middle meningeal artery; (2) between the membranes; (3) in the substance of the brain. Diagnosis.--The insensibility arising from compression may be distinguished from that which arises from concussion of the brain by observing, 1st. That the symptoms of concussion always follow the accident immediately; those of compression from effusion of blood may come on after an interval. " The first stunning or deprivation of sense," says Pott, " may be from either; no man can tell from which; but when these first symptoms have been removed, or have spontaneously disappeared, if such patient is again oppressed with drowsiness or stupidity, it then becomes most probable that the first complaints were from concussion, and that the latter are from extravasation." 2dly. In concussion, the pulse is feeble, and the skin pale; and the greater the insensibility the feebler will the pulse be. In compression, on the contrary, when reaction is thoroughly established, the pulse will be slow and full, and the skin hot and perspiring. 3dly. Stertorous breathing and muscular palsy are rare in mere concussion, common in compression. 4thly. The pupil in concussion is variable: sometimes contracted, sometimes dilated, and not always insensible to light; in compression, it is almost always dilated and insensible. Treatment.--The head should be shaved and examined, and if there is no sign of fracture, the case must be treated as one of apoplexy; the indications being to avert inflammation, and procure absorption of the Wood by bleeding, cold applications to the head, purgatives, and calomel in repeated doses. Frequently a puffy swelling arises after a day or two, and points out the seat of the blow. If, in spite of the above measures the insensibil...
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