260 DISEASES OF THE BRAIN. 



TBEATMENT. The treatment of encephalitis cannot be very suo 

 3essful, from the simple fact that the disease is not generally recog- 

 nized until it has induced irreparable destruction of the brain. In very 

 recent cases, particularly in those of traumatic origin, we should em- 

 ploy local antiphlogistics, leeches, and cold compresses. Later, but 

 little can be expected from this treatment. Moxae and setons, which 

 were formerly much used in protracted cases, have been abandoned, 

 and very justly so, as has the administration of mercurials. The prepa- 

 rations of iodine also, which have been recently recommended, promise 

 but little benefit ; hence, in most cases, there is little to do but have 

 /he patient observe proper regimen, particularly to guard him from 

 *.very thing that can increase the pressure of blood to the head, and to 

 confine ourselves to combating the most urgent symptoms. Among 

 the latter, the apoplectiform attacks are to be treated according to 

 the rules given for the treatment of cerebral haemorrhage, while any 

 intercurrent meningitis demands the employment of energetic anti- 

 phlogistic remedies. 



CHAPTER XII. 



PARTIAL SCLEROSIS OF THE BRAIN. 



IN previous chapters we have repeatedly mentioned the formation 

 of indurations in the brain as the results of cicatrization of apoplectic 

 and inflammatory deposits. Besides these, partial scleroses, which 

 occur as a result of other processes, indurations from new formations 

 of connective tissue, and displacement of the normal elements, occur 

 at circumscribed spots in the brain, whose pathogeny is entirely ob- 

 scure, and of which x it is even doubtful whether they are of inflamma- 

 tory origin or not. These idiopathic forms of partial sclerosis of the 

 brain have been almost solely observed early in life, and more fre- 

 quently in males than in females, but their causes have never been 

 discovered. 



On anatomical examination the points of disease are found oftener 

 in the white than in the gray substance; their number varies; some- 

 times they are solitary, occasionally several are present. They form 

 irregular nodules, or rough spots as large as a lentil or an almond, 

 which may be distinguished from the parts around by their hardness 

 and toughness. On the cut surface they appear bloodless, dull, and 

 milk-white ; after remaining exposed for a while, they are covered 

 with a scanty serum, and become somewhat depressed. In the midst 

 of the nodules there are usually small blue or grayish -red spots, 

 which contract strongly and exude a quantity of serum, after being 



