454 THE PINEAL ORGAN 



rapidly improved and next day she was talking quite happily. There was well- 

 marked lateral nystagmus to the left and right. 



Thirty-six hours after the operation the patient became drowsy and then 

 unconscious, with a pulse-rate of 50. The upper part of the scalp wound was 

 opened, the bone flap removed, and the lateral ventricle tapped. Some 40C.C 

 of cerebrospinal fluid were withdrawn. The patient rapidly improved after 

 this, but by the tenth day after operation, when the stitches were removed, 

 there was considerable bulging of the scalp in the region of the wound ; 200 c.c. 

 of a 15 per cent, sodium chloride solution were given intravenously. This 

 worked like a charm, and the bulge completely disappeared for four days, 

 when it became more tense again. As a further operation for the complete 



Fig. 305. — Case 3. 



Showing Bulging of Decompression Area in the Right 

 Occipitoparietal Region. 



removal of the tumour was refused by the patient, it was decided to give a 

 course of X-ray treatments. Four treatments were given at two- weekly intervals, 

 the applications being given over the decompressed area. This kept the patient 

 quite fit, the papilloedema subsided, and the patient was able to go home. 



On re-admisson. — She was readmitted in May, 193 1, with bulging of the 

 decompression area and an increase in the papilloedema (Fig. 305). Operation 

 was again refused and a further course of X-ray treatment was given. The 

 patient was discharged in June, 193 1, in an improved condition ; the papilloedema 

 was subsiding again and the cerebral hernia was less. She died quite suddenly 

 in August, 1 93 1, but no autopsy was obtainable. 



Case 4. — Albert P., aged 23, was admitted to hospital under the care of 

 Dr. Worster-Drought, on 9th October, 1931, complaining of headaches, 

 drowsiness, dizziness, and a constant " vacant " feeling. He was quite well 



