River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-12-31
In Case ofAnopIexx.

A stroke OF apopleXy u sually comes
suddenly, without warning of any
kind ind d, the person may, just be-
fore the attack, have felt unusually
well. This suddenness of onset is due
to the sudden giving way of the blood
vessel wall. The person affected may
fall to the ground in an unconscious
condition, as though felled by a blow.
the sudden compression and injury of
the brain having suspended its control
over the muscular system, so that the
muscles are permitted to relax and re-
fuse to support the body. This is the
case when the vessel which ruptures is
a large one. When ii is small the
blood can only escape from it slowly,
and the symptoms of apoplexy are
then more gradual in their develop
ment The person becomes dull, talks
unintelligently, appears agitated, and
becomes more and more stupciied
until, finally, he reaches state of I'M
consciousness, the whole process tax
| ing several minutes. In rare cases the
I CUllSlOil Ol DiUUu - jlOl SNllIClcuL 10
| produce perfect Inconsistencies, but
/ the person can be reused, and may
manifest, in some degree, the persist
ence of the power of the will over the
muscles The automatic or inyolun-
tary muscular acts which are necessary
for the maintenance of life continue to
be carried on, except in cases which
are very rapidly fatal, where death is
due TO paralysis of the respiration. In
the majority of cases the rcsprations
are slow and irregular, and are ac-
companied by a snoring sound, like
that produced in profound slumber,
which is due to a relaxation of the
palate. The pulse is usually strong
and slow. The face may be flushed or
purplish. There is usually some vom-
/ ting
An important symptom of apopleXv
which requires more particular con-
| sideratiOn, is paralysis. 1t is a very
frequent result of cerebral hemorrhage,
and is nearly always confined to one
side Of the body. The reasons for this
are of interest; The brain presides
over those processes which involve
the action of the will. and is in connec-
ton with the other parts Of the body,
through the agency Of the nerves
in such a way that the right half of
the body is governed by the right halt
of the brain. When, therefore, one
side of the brain is affected so that
its activity is suspended, the opposite
side of the body will be paralyZed.
and one side of the face, so that the
patient only winks with one eye or
moves only one side of the mouth,
while the other side remains quiet or
is even smoother than usual, because
the natural lines of expression are
ilattened out in consequence of the
abnormal relaxation of the muscles.
The fact that the paralysis confined to
one side may not be obvious until the
patient begins to recover from the
first shock of the stroke and the state
of Inconsistencies passes away. This
takes place in favorable cases in the
course of a few minutes, although
more or less complete Inconsistencies
may continue for several hours with
out necessarily indicating fatal
result.
The patient RECEIVERS consciousness
as he would upon waking from sleep.
He may appear dazed and complain of
headache. but seldom expresses sur,
prise or seems aware of what has
taken place. The paralysis persists
after recovery of consciousness. In
favorable cases it gradually improves.
but frequently complete restoration of
power never takes place. The amount of
improvement depends upon the amount
of damage the brain has received and
the rapidity and the completeness with
which the blood eliot upon its surface
or within its tissues is absorbed.
Sensation may be abolished on the side
which is paralyzed, but it is reg2ined
more rapidly and usually more com-
nlotelY than the power of motion.