PART IX. 

 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



CHAPTER I. 

 DISEASES OF THE BRAIN. 



Two groups of symptoms characterize brain and meningeal 

 lesions, viz. : 04) General, and (B) focal or topical symptoms. 

 The general symptoms result from a diffuse disorder of the 

 brain cortex with increased intracranial pressure, or they 

 may arise from increased intracranial pressure alone. The 

 focal symptoms result from lesions which involve well- 

 defined fields, centres, 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. 



04) General brain symptoms. These consist in: (1) Dis- 

 turbed consciousness. This is manifested by stupor, dulness, 

 sleepiness, sopor, or even coma; vertigo and syncope may 

 occur. On the other hand, there may be excitement, rest- 

 lessness, maniacal or rabiform manifestations. (2) Disturb- 

 ance in respirations. The respirations are affected in fre- 

 quency 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 appetite may be impaired, lost, 

 or vitiated, and food and water are taken in an unphysio- 

 logical manner. (4) Abnormal muscular movements. These 

 may be expressed in general tonoclonic spasms (epileptoid), 

 forced movements, or there may be paralysis (general, hemi- 

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