APOPLEXY. 



139 



Of serous apoplexy. — It was once supposed in certain cases not 

 attended with evidence of vascular excitement, that the symptoms 

 were owing to an effusion of serum ; hence they were called serous 

 apoplexies ; but this distinction is now abandoned. 



Diagnosis betiveen serous atid sanguineous apoplexy, — The 

 sanguineous was said to be distinguished by flushing of the counte- 

 nance, and strong pulse, and by occurring in persons in the vigour 

 of life ; the serous, on the other hand, was said to attack the aged 

 and infirm, the countenance being pale, and the pulse weak, in such 

 cases. But there are many cases whose symptoms and circum- 

 stances come exactly within the description of the serous apoplexy^ 

 but still after death present the vascular engorgement, &c., of the 

 sanguineous, whilst no serous fluid is efl^used. Speaking of these 

 distinctions, Dr. Abercrombie observes, " it will be found that many 

 of the cases which terminate by serous effusion, exhibit in the early 

 stages all the symptoms which have been assigned to the sangui- 

 neous apoplexy ; while many of the cases which are accompanied 

 by paleness of the countenance and feebleness of the pulse will be 

 found to be purely sanguineous." 



Morbid appearances. — Effusion of blood within the cranium may 

 take place in the brain or cerebellum ; in their crura ; in the pons 

 Varolii, and in the medulla oblongata ; in the corpus callosum ; in 

 the ventricles ; on the surface of the brain beneath the pia mater ; 

 in the cavity of the arachnoid ; between this membrane and the dura 

 mater, which it lines ; and between the dura mater and cranium. 



It has been found that certain parts of the brain are much more 

 liable to sanguineous eflxisions than others. 



M. Rochoux's Dissections. — Forty-one cases. 



Extravasation of blood on the Z«/if si<?e 18 



Do. do. right side 17 



Do. do. hoth sides 6 



41 



Of the Situations of ike Effusions, 



In the corpora striata 24 



— optic thalami . 2 



In both these situations ........ 1 



Under the corpus striatum ..*,... 1 



In the middle of the hemispheres 5 



— posterior part of the ventricles 2 



— anterior and interior part of the hemisphere ... 2 



— posterior and interior part 3 



— middle lobe 1 



41 



By this table it is shown that out of forty-one cases of efliision, 

 twenty-eight were in the corpora striata and their vicinity. 



