PARTURIENT APOPLEXY. 
263 
nd something of the secondary effects of irritation. It may 
• only cause over-activity of nerve-elements; it may lessen 
Ir activity and even arrest it altogether. The same stiinu- 
i in different degrees will either arrest or produce reflex 
ion (Grower). If irritation can produce the symptoms of con- 
i ition at one time and of ansemia at another, it remains to be 
dained how this is done. It will assist us in our consideration 
the morbid conditions of the cerebro-spinal centers that follow 
lex stimulations by keeping in mind that the circulation is 
ectly under the control of the nervous system, and of the organs 
itained in the abdominal cavity. We should not, in this con" 
- 3 tion, lose sight of the amount of stimulus necessary. A mode- 
i e degree of irritability of the end organs of the sensory nerves 
1 itained in the mucous-membrane—not too violent and long-con- 
I ued, stimulates the vaso-motor centers in the medulla, causing 
i general contraction in the arterioles. When this irritation 
i 1 iches a sufficient degree of intensity, the walls of the abdomen 
, d of the hollow organs contained in the abdominal cavity 
|'ter also into contraction, followed by increased blood pressure 
the vessels least provided with muscular fibres. The blood 
ssels of the brain, from their anatomical peculiarity, are an ex- 
i ition to this law. Thus is explained the elevation of the 
nperature of the mouth, head and horns, the hurried respira" 
n, the accelerated pulse, the early loss of the power of vision, 
:d the spasmodic contraction of the muscles; thus may be 
veloped delirium and convulsions, and loss of voluntary power, 
hen we take into consideration the clinical history of parturient 
oplexy, and also its post mortem appearances, the conclusion 
irresistable that it cannot be due to congestion. Ante-mortem 
ngestion sufficient to give rise to symptoms similar to or iden_ 
al with those of parturient apoplexy can be demonstrated post- 
>rtem. 
If there is no evidence after death of hyperamia having ex- 
ed during life, does not the hyperamic theory fall for want of 
Dof ? The symptomatology of congestion, at best, is vague, and 
will not satisfy the scientific enquirer to be answered that these 
3 the phenomena of congestion. 
