PART IX. 

 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



CHAPTER I. 

 DISEASES OF THE BRAIN. 



Two groups of symptoms characterize brain and menin- 

 geal lesions, viz.: A. General, and B. focal or topical 

 sjTiiptoms. The general symptoms result from a diffuse 

 disorder of the brain cortex with increased intracranial 

 pressure, or they may arise from increased intracranial 

 pressiKC alone. The focal symptoms result from lesions 

 which involve well-defined fields, centers, or tracts of the 

 brain, the functions of which are interfered with. Both 

 groups of symptoms can occur simultaneously or each 

 independently of the other. 



A. General Brain Symptoms. These consist in: (1) 

 Disturbed consciousness. This is manifested by stupor, 

 dulness, sleepiness, sopor, or even coma; vertigo and syn- 

 cope may occur. On the other hand there may be excite- 

 ment, restlessness, maniacal or rabiform manifestations. 

 (2) Disturbance in respirations. The respirations are 

 affected in frequency and rhythm, producing in some 

 instances a change in the mode of breathing (Cheyne- 

 Stokes, Biot respirations, etc.). (3) Disturbance in the 

 manner of prehension and mastication of food. The appe- 

 tite may be impaired, lost or vitiated, and food and water 

 are taken in an unphysiological manner. (4) Abnormal 

 muscular movements. These may be expressed in general 



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