Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-22
PARTIAL CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN.

PARIIAL CONGES i lON OF The pH''-''
In the last American Journal of Mtdicai. Sci.
ences, Dr. Fahnestock relates very remarkable
case of cerebral affection, which may seem add''
tiona evidence in the estimation Of the Phrcnoio-
gst in favor Of his system.
The reator remarks. that he does not intend
to enter Into any discussion on the nature OF the
intellect its essence. SC. but merely to intro
doce another pathological evidence, TO the many
alread, on record, showing that intelligence Is
connected with the cerebral organs; that those
organs AZ multiple aud that the faculties are ex-
ercised according TO the integrity ct the structure
Of each indN idua organ, and are INSTRUCTED 10
part, or aItogeiher,by oonges'ons,or arrangement
in the various portions Ut The encephaIon IN which
the different faculties are respectively located.
Baron Larry, IN his Sursie al Memoirs, men
tons several cases Of wounds made BY bavonets
aud sword, penetrating the brain through The or
bit Of tue eye, in which the memory TOR words
was lost, but no, Of things. DR.. Jackson has
published very interesting case OF amnesia, IN
the third volume Of his Jnurnal, in which cere-
bra congestion suddenly induced suspe ndrd the
memnr = for words, without any other disorder oil
the intellectual faculties; all the others being IN
full ACTIVITY. Professor Dickson. II Charleston,
has also communicated case IN which there
was Il total loss 0i names, but distinct memory
Of numt.cs.& the pnwer OF rapid computation re-
NAMED. Plurality OF organs and faculties would
have given d ready solution To this case, without
rcsorling 10 speculation on the problem OF the
mind having greater aptitude 10 recognize the
mathematical lines Of figures.
I'm the case which Professor Wistar exhibited
annually to the class IN the University of Penn.
syIvania, If our recollection is distinct. there
was los, of ability 10 utter proper names when
prr;,ure was made on the ul,erOr portion oi the
brain which we're deprived of bone-the indivl.
dual speaking with ease and hucncy, would stop
articuating for period sufficient to pronounce
the name, and then 90 on to complete the sen
tpnce, as If unconscious 0t any interruption. -
Our reference to these lew cases a,ay suhce TO
screen Us from the charge OF laying too much
might or stress on an isolated fact. An entire
number of this Journal would not contain the
cases which might be adduced in confirmation OF
the plurality Of the organs aud faculties OF the
intellect
The following case may aforLadLitionaI urgu.
ment to sustain The POSITION.
In November last. 1881 John Flanagan,
ESQ, Pruthonuary of Franklin County, IN this
State, a gentleman of much intelligence and res.
prevalent throughout our country, which affected
the upper forepart of his head especially; and
particularly when he coaghed lie suffered severe
lancerating pain through the anterior obes Of the
cerebrum, from the region OF an inch and an half
beneath the cnronal su,ure to the inner angle OF
the eyes, which, however, did not prevent him
from attending to his duties IN court, then in
session.
One morning after coughing severely. and ex
perencing much acute pam in the situation men
toned, which now continued without any cessa-
ton, he went into court. and 10 Qualifying the
Jury, found himself unable to name the parties in
the suit--names with which he was perfectly IA
mi!iar. He proceeded, You do solcmnlv, sin
cereiy and truly declare and affirm, that You
will well aud truly try the issue now joined be.
tween'-and was interrupted by inability to
articulate the names OF the parties. After Tail.
ing in two attempts. gentleman OF the bar rose
in his place, and offered to discharge the duty,
which Mr. Flanagan declined, and then procee.
ded the third time, but arrested again as soon
as he came to the names If the parties. He then
turned TO the judges, and told them that he was
slightly ind,sposrJ, bat would persevcre. then
placing his eyes the names OF the parties on
the docket. both OF whom were intimate person.
al friends, proceeded the fourth time to the point
at which he was before arrested. and was un-
able to proceed. The presiding judges named
the parties. and Mr.. Flanagan finished the alIir.
nation without any further difficulty. The abili.
ty to articuldte names was not only interrupted,
but even the power to recall them was suspen.
ded. He could not recolect single name one
minute during the continuance Of this congestion.
The day following he was making an axamina-
ton Of proceedings on the court record in suit,
and in referring from the minute book to the
docket. he would forget entirely the names Of
the parties. He REQUIRED three times to the original
entry, and had at length to take the names ON
paper and trace il the other; for as soon as he
turned his eyes from the name. it was entirely
obterated from the memory. During this peri.
cd his perception was clear, memory otherwise
distinct. judgment sound, and business habits un.
impaired. After taking little revulsive medi.
cne.in the course Of few days he returned to his
duties. and has not experienced any further in.
Amer. Jour. of the Med. Science, Vol. VII. !