ENTOZOA IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 199 



The fact that such alterations have been observed 

 in cysticerci found in persons who presented symp- 

 toms of cerebral disorder only a few days previously 

 to their decease, is a proof that cysticerci, may exist 

 for a considerable period without giving rise to 

 marked complications ; and it may be readily under- 

 stood that, when they are situated in the pia-mater, 

 or in the choroid plexuses, and limited to a small 

 bulk, they can have only a slight action upon the 

 brain-substance itself, whilst it may also be seen 

 that, unless they are accumulated in great numbers 

 at one spot, they ^vill not exert sufficient compression 

 upon the brain for the abolition of its functions. In 

 this respect, observation agrees with theory, as may 

 be ascertained upon an examination into the recorded 

 cases of cysticerci in the brain. 



The pathological phenomena produced by the 

 presence of cysticerci in the brain may be either 

 chronic or acute. In the chronic state, epileptiform 

 attacks have been known to come on at distant 

 intervals, together with monomaniacal delirium, hebe- 

 tude of the faculties, or dementia. After a duration 

 of several years, without any marked change being 

 perceived in the condition of the patient, the pre- 

 ceding symptoms are suddenly replaced, or masked, 

 by the appearance of new symptoms which are caused, 

 either by the irritation produced by the tumour, or by 

 inflammation of the brain or its membranes, or by 

 sanguineous, or serous eftusion. These new symp- 

 toms are general or partial convulsions, delirium, 

 strong mental disturbance, fever, and coma, &c., 

 which usually destroy the patient in the course of a 

 few days. 



