PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECTIONS. 187 
note in passing that the ultimate consequence of 
repeated epileptic seizures, especially in the form of vertigo, is the 
progressive and final destruction of psychical memory. 
; all the cases which I have related the first symptoms were 
it is necessary to inquire in what this somewhat mysterious con- 
dition consists.) The theory put forward by Rokitanski and 
ions of 
Ferrier, the centres of taste and smell are localized in immediate 
relation to each other. The remaining theories of concussion 
are :— 
1st. That propounded by Fischer, of Breslau, who believes that 
the blow on the head produces reflex paralysis of the vessels of 
the brain and serious interference with the nutrition of the cere- 
concussion. 
2nd. A modification of the old vibration theory of Pott, which 
supposes a molecular disturbance of the protoplasm of the tissues 
of the brain, which is accompanied by an impairment or abolition 
isturban 
possible that sudden changes in the blood supply may alone be 
sufficient to initiate these. 
There can I think be no doubt but that the prolonged loss of 
memory in the cases mentioned was due to minute or molecular 
_ changes in, and to subsequent want of nutrition of, the nervous 
Q 
