m the Functions of the Brain, 
477 
SECTION II. 
The effects produced by concussion of the Brain. 
Concussion of the brain produces delirium and coma ; these 
3ymptoms go off, they sometimes in a few days return and 
prove fatal.* 
In the torpid state commonly attendant upon any violent 
shake being given to the brain, the senses are so much impaired 
that little information can be gained respecting the effects 
produced upon the internal organs. The bowels have been 
found under such circumstances to be acted on by aperient 
medicines with great difficulty. -f 
SECTION III. 
The effects pi'oduced when the blood vessels of the Brain are pre^ 
ternalurally dilated or diseased. 
Sudden dilatation of the blood-vessels of the cerebrum, in 
consequence of exposure to the sun, is sometimes accompanied 
by delirium ; loss of speech and the power of swallowing. J 
A dilated state of the veins of the cerebrum has been attended 
♦ This happened in two cases, and no appearances of alteration of structure in the 
brain were met with after death. 
f A gentleman fell from his horse, and had a concussion of the brain. While in 
that state it required 6 o grains of jalap and 20 of calomel to procure one evacuation 
from the bowels. 
J In a case of coup de soleil in the West Indies these symptoms were produced, and 
the person died in two hours. The brain was examined four hours after death. The 
scalp felt hot, was loaded with blood ; the cerebrum was hot to the feel ; and a gene- 
ral distention of the blood vessels of the pia mater was the only unusual appearance, 
except that the substance of the cerebrum was unusually soft. 
3 Q 
MDCCCXIV. 
