The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-07-14
VOLUME 6---NO. 8.
From the Hearth and Home.
Apoplexy.
By AN EMINENT PHYSICIAN.


The reported deaths by apoplexy are of aston
ishing, if not of alarming frequency Daily we
see new and familiar names added to the long
mortality record, and learn that they, our
friends, or the great men of the world, were
stricken down, while in apparent health, by
apoplexy. And with what fearful suddenness
the attack comes on Governor Andrew was
conversing cheerfully with a friend; Corwin
was in the midst of his humor; Stanton was
happy in his family circle and now Dickens
was sitting at the family table, when the shad
ow of death fell like pail upon the brain,
shutting out forever all consciousness of earth
ly objects.
Apoplexy is defined to be "a disease essenti-
ally characterized by the sudden loss, more or
less completely, Of volition, perception, sensa-
ton and motion; depending on sudden pres
sure Upon the brain, originating within the
Uranium" This pressure may be due to an
unusual tendency of blood to the brain, caus-
ing congestion or to the rupture of a blood
vessel followed by an escape Of blood upon or
into the brain or, finally, to the escape of the
watery part of the blood (the serum) through
the coats of the vessels. True apoplexy, of the
kind here considered, is due to the rupture of q
blood vessel and an escape of blood in or upon
the brain.
Apoplexy is disease of advanced life,
though it has been observed in children. One
author states that it is most frequent between
40 and 50 in males, and between so and 60 in
females; second writer fixes the periods of
greatest frequency between 40 and 30 and 70
40 and 70; fourth has generally met with it
in persons between 80 and so. 1t is evident,
therefore, that apoplcxy occurs much more fre-
quently during the later periods of life.
Apoplexy is by all but universally the sequel
of disease of the artery which is ruptured. 1t
is due neither to short neck, nor broad
shoulders, nor great obesity. These conditions
dc not in any respect even contribute to the
disease Quite as many very feshy persons
live to die of old age, or other diseases, as the
moderately lean-or, indeed, the very lean.-
The change which takes place in the artery
may occur in any constitution, and probably IN
old age does occur in the arteries of many per-
sons. 1t is the change Of the coats of the arte-
ries to fat fatty degeneration) which leads to
their rupture This change is usually preceded
by low grade of inflammation, which slowly
progresses, and leads to a gradual degeneration
of The arteries affected. This Inflammation is
induced by certain conditions of the SYSTEM
as, for example, in persons subject to diseases
which affect the blood unfavorably. Such dis
eases arc gout, rheumatism, Brght's disease Of
the kidney, etc. 4 strong prcdispcsition is al
so created by intemperance and cxcesses in
eating.
Degenerative changes may take place in the
blood-ycsSels from impaired nutrition. This
condition is often seen in persons who rapidly
take on fat They have low grade OF vitality,
aid many orgaDs become more or less conver-
te,! into fat The nutrition of the brain is i'm
pa red, and its vessels rendered weak and liable
10 rupture. In many persons, the brain, long
overtaxed ceases to be properly nourished, and
finally terminates either in rupture of vessels
or soitening of the brain-substance.
An artery of the brain once rendered weak
bv the cause mentioned is the initial stage of
most cases of apoplexy. ANY undue pressure
upon the circulation in the brain may now, st
any time, be followed by rupture of the afec-
ted vessel
Mental excitement, fatigue, physical exertion,
and, above all, stimulating drinks, and stomach
overloaded with indigestibe food, are exciting
causes which almost daily destroy those already
predisposcd to apoplexy.
There are generally premcnitions of the ap-
oplectic condition. The weakened artery often
temporarily yields under undue pressure, and
that portion OF the brain pressed upon loses its
power, whether of motion or sensation. Hence,
such persons often speak of temporary numb
ness or tingling of Il limb or part a sense OF
sciousness, or inability to articulate certain
words or letters, or double vision.
The severity of the attack depends upon the
position snd size of She vessel ruptured, and the
amount of eXtrav:sated blood. If but small
quantity of blood escapes into the central por-
tions of the brain, or at its base, it may prove
quickly fatal. Or it may in time be absorbed,
and the pressure so far relieved that the atten-
ding paralysis may disappear. 1t is owing to
the fact that a small vessel may first rupture,
and the patient recover; and afterwards
larger vessel may rupture, and recovery follow;
and, again, still larger vessel may rupture,
and death rcsult--tlat many have the popular
notion that there are generally three attacks
before the disease proves fatal. OF the faltacv
of this belief we have recently had numerous
very notable examples.
Apoplexy like most other severe diseases, is
best treated by preventive measures. person
subject to the prcmonitory symptoms mentioned
which excite undue pressure upon the cerebral
circulation The neck should be free from all
pressure; the food should be light and nutri-
tous stimulating drinks should be used III
moderate quantities. if at all: and all severe
mental and physical excitemcnts must be
scrupulously avoided.
The approach of the final attack is often no
:iced by the sufferer. and he gives moments
warn;nr Of thc danger. Dickens felt pain
shoot through the side and spoke OF it; This
ynr' was donbtless occasioncd by the rupture. The
host hos, treatment to be adopted by the bystanders
is to lsy the patient down, with the head ele-
r..tod y, t remove all constructions from the neck
arnlv r cold to the head and heat to the extremi-
ties ties The great object is to prevent the etfusion
Of blood by withdrawing it from the bratn.
- Once npon time, before the negro had ac-
CURED another than recnnaTy value, an old