Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-19
ApOpIe KY.

The frequency Of deaths from this disease
gives an able article in the Popular Science
Monthly special interest 1t is somewhat
condensed, but gives all the material points
II there is any one disease that the dill
gent brain-worker, little past middle life,
has reason 10 fear, is apoplexy. Although
statistical evidence is wanting, the expert
ence of the physician confirms the popular
belief that more Of our distinguished men
are carried off by this disease, or by one of
its sequels, paralysis, than by any other
cause. There are no vessels carrying blood
to and from the various organs of the body
which so frequently rupture as those in the
brain. The causes that produce this result
are the fatty degeneracy of the middle ar
terial coat Of the cerebral vessels, whereby
their elastic strength is much impaired,
the great irregularity of blood distribution
to the contents Of the Uranium, and the little
support which the pulpy substance of the
brain gives 10 the weakened vessels inn
bedded in il. The chief causes which pro
duce this structural change are the habitual
use Of ardent spirits and tobacco. Every
one is aware that the leading effects of these
agents on the body are such as show that the
functions of the nervous system are more
affected than any other, and the physician also
knows that when symptoms of disorder arise
from their use they are such as denote that
the nervous system is almost alone eimplicated.
Ardent spirits also tend TO produce an
over-fullness Of the cerebral vessels, and to
affect the functions of the brain in man
ner which strangely blend stupidity, bright
ness, and exhilaration. Effects so unDatu-
raj and SO frequently ending in disease, in
huence injuriously the nutrition of the ner-
yous centres. And 10 Interfere with the nu-
triton of any part of the body, is simply to
impair the life and power Of its structure.
The evidences of this impairment may not
be felt Immediately. In fact, the evidences
OF impairment by any bad habit are seldom
apparent during the prime of youthful ygor,
But the mischief is going on, nevertheless,
and the organ upon which the weight of in.
fringement falls will be the one that will
first manifest signs Of disease and through
which death will make its conquest over the
body.
During sleep the brain is almost blood
less its substance seems to shrink into a
lfeless mass but the moment that wake
fulness occurs ii swells out, gets red, its ar
teries and veins becoming distended with q
great tide of blood. No other part OF the
body Is subject 10 such drouths and Hoods in
its circulation. This inequality is still fur
ther increased by severe mind labor. The
ardent student is well aware that deep
thought heats the head and cools the feet.
The first apoplectic stroke, as a rule, is not
severe one little blood escapes by tiny
rent, the shock 10 the system slows tho ac-
tion OF the heart, the escape Of blood ceases,
and nature heals the part torn and removes
the blood-clot by absorption. Then as the
blood-yessels in the brain grow weaker, un-
der greater tension than ordinary, a larger
rent is made, allowing the blood TO escape in
hopeless profusion. Napoleon stood in
great dread of this disease, and was told by
his medical adviser, #" Sire, the first attack
is warning, the second summons, the
third summons to execution"
What is to be done by those who inherit
tendency TO apoplexy or whose habits Of
life predisposo them to this disease Clearly