Daily Republican., 1883-09-20
ApOplexy.

The name apoplexy is of Greel
origin, and signifies II stroke. Th'
disease is so called because persons AZ
tackled hy it are apt to fall Suddenly, a.
If from violent blow upon the head
Though sudden in outward mani
fcslation, apoplexy is usually the con
sequence of gradually angmenting
morbid conditions. The disease com.
monty understood by this name is an
affection of the brain, caused by an
over distention of the blood vessels, OF
their rupture and the consequent effu
sion OF blood into the brain substance
in either case the pressure upon the
great nerve centres produce paralysis
Of the mental and physical powers,
with the consequent loss Of conscious
ness and motion. The degree of fatality
depends upon the amount of pressure,
the impOi tanCe of .he parts involved,
the time elaps.ng before the pressure is
relieved and the occurrence of compli-
cation Of these latter the most common
are inflammation and consequent de-
struction o. the brain tissue, where the
clot from cffusion of blood has been
formed. Should this process take place
to any considerable extent, death is un-
avoidable. In those cases where the
rti'usion has been but slight, one Of two
processes may take place, the absorption
OF the Clot or its inclosure by the pro-
cess of inflammation in Il sack, thus
separated from contact with the brain,
In the causes of apoplexy ARE included
all those which excite undue flow of
blood to the vessels Of the brain, such
~ a highly nutritious or stimulating
diet, with but little physical exercise.
The use Of alcoholic liquors and various
drugs, such as opium and those of
similar action, which tend to produce
cerebral congestion, among other pre-.
disposing causes, may be named a
diseased sta'e of the walls of the blood
vessels which occasion their over dis
tention or rupture, an diseases of the
brain, by which its substance becomes
softened or wasted to such an extent as
to deprive the vessels of their normal
support. The symptoms of this disease
in the first stage, before the distention
of the blood vessels has reached its
climax, or effnsion has taken place, are
a feeling Of tullness in the head, with
vertigo, pressing, throbbing headache,
red, bloated face, congestion of the
vessels Of the eyes, oppressed breathing
and hard, rapid pulse. After etlusion
has aiken place, or increased distention
Of the vessels, loss of consciousness,
followed by dilation of the
pupils, with insensibility to light,
heavy, stertorous breathing, paralysis
IF various organs and slow, irregular
pulse. Should the disease progress
tOwarls n fatal termination, the
breathing becomes more labortd and
slow, the pulse slower and more irregl-
ar, and general paralysis Of all the
,rgans increases. If improvement sets
n, the contrary phenomena takes place,
with gradual return to consciousness,
Dow,r Of speech and motion.
Though persons Of all constitutions
nay from exposure to exciting cadses
Ne made liable toan ,ttack of apopleXy:
hose of full habit, with short neck,
road chest, with large development of
he Circula ory system, are most apt,
he more so az their diet and habits are
# nature to favor sanguinous con
,estion of the brain. AS means for
Of apopleXy AL such causes
y have been mentioned should be
avoided. The diet should
'e plain and nutri ious; all stimu-
atiug drinks, even coffee, should be
abundant physical exercise
hould be taken, avoiding exposure to
he heat Of the sun, which, during the
eated term, under the name of sun
troke, is a frequent cause Of apoplexy.
'ersons subject to congestion 10 the
cad should be careful to have their
lothing ut the neck loose, SO as not to
bstruct the return of blood from the
Should a person fall in an
popectic fit in the absence of physi-
ian, the neck clothing should be
the head and upper part of
he body raised in such a manner as
OF to bend 'he neck, and cold appli- {
ations be applied to the head. Former ,
Y bleeding was resorted to in all cases !,
t sanguinous congestion, but of late
ears this practice has been almost
ntirely dropped, partly because it has
cen found to be productive of more
Jury than good, and mostly because
.medies in the form of drugs have
cen found which accomplish the relief |
ought more speedily and without
lusing injurious sequences.
E. w. G.