The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-08-04

From Hearth and Home.
The reported deaths by apoplexy are
OF astonishing, IL not Of alarming fre-
quency. Daily we see new and familiar
names added 10 the long mortality record.
and learn that they, our friends. or he
great men Of the world, were stricken
down, while In apparent health. bv apo-
plexy. And with what fearful sndden-
ness the attack comes on Govorpor
Andrew was conversing cheerfulIv witb
a friend COrwin was in the midsf ~ ne
humor; Stanton was happy in his family
circle and now Dickens WA SITTING ~
the family table, when the shadow ~
death fell like pail upon the brain.
shutting out forever all CONSCIOUSNESS of
earthly objects
ApopleXy Is defined 10 be "a disease
essentially characterized hy the sudden
loss, more or less completely, of voliton,
! perception, sensation and motion depend
ing on sudden pressure upon the brain,
originating within the Uranium" This
pressure may be due % an unusual ten.
dency Of blood 10 the brain, causing
congestion or 10 the rupture Of a blood
vessel, followed by an escape of blood
upon or into the brain or, finally, 10 the
escape of the watery part Of the blood
(the serum through the coats Of the YES
sells. True apoplexy, Of the kind here
considered. is due 10 the rupture of a
blood vessel and AN escape of blood In or
upon the brain.
Apoplexy is a disease ofadvanced life,
though il has been observed in children.
One author states that it is most frequent
between 40 and 80 in males. aud between
50 and GO in females second wri.ei
fixes the periods OF greatest frrqu me,
tween 40 aud so and 20 and SO. third
says il is most usual between 40 and 20.
a fourth has generally met with IL IN
persons between so and 80. It's evident.
therefore, that apoplexy occurs much
more frequently during the later periods
of life.
Degenerative changes may take place
in the bloOd-vessels from impaired nutri.
ton. This condition is often seen Ina
persons who rapidly take on fat. They
have low grade of vitality, aud many
organs become more or less converted
into fat. The nutrition Of the brain ii
impaired, and il vessels rendered weak
and liable 20 rupture. In many persons.
hAe bIaili inHk hNtAAAAfn ttAHtn 10 hN
properly nourished, and the same process
Of degeneration is set up, and finally
terminates either in a rupture Of vessels
or softening Of the brain-substancc.
An artery Of the brain once rendered
weak by the cause mentioned Is the initial
stage Of the most cases Of apoploxy. Any
undue pressure upon the circulation In
the brain may now, at any time, bo fol-
lowed by rupture Of the affected vessel
Mental excitement, fatigue, physical
exertion, and, above all stimulating
drinks, and a stomach overloaded with
indigestible food, are exciting causes
which almost daily destroy those already
predisposed TO apoplexy.
There are generally prcmonitions of
the apOplectic condition. The weakened
artery often temporarily yields under
undue pressure, aud that portion of tho
brain pressed upon loses is power, wheth-
er Of motion or sensation Hence. such
persons often speak Of temporary numb
ness or tingling Of limb or part, a sense
Of dizziness, occasionally a momentnry
loss Of consciousness, COR inability 10 ar
ticulatc certain worcb or letters, or double
vision.