Macon beacon., 1905-07-01
APOPLEXY

quiries, also the question of circula-
tion seems to interest many. 1t may
seem curious that these two subjects
should be the subject of inquiry. just
at this period from so many different
parts of the country more so, perhaps
on account Of the fact that the two are
so intimately related.
AS | have told you before, | do not
believe that the heart is an organ of
tremendous muscular power which
alone pumps the blood throughout the
system The circulation of the blood
is, In my opinion, even though the
text books do not teach it, controlled
by the nerves and gray matter, There
is a rhythmic contraction and expan-
sion CT the veins and arteries causing
a continuous vermcular motion
throughout the entire circulatory sys-
TEN including the heart. the most i'm
portant portion of that system.
II the circulation is not controlled
by the nerves and gray matter, what
causes the blood to leave the face dur
ing fright or anger; what causes 1t to
rush to the face when an emotion of
shame or confusion afllicts one? What
causes the feet of the restless victim
of insomnia to be cold as ice while
his head is burning up?
Poor circulation means poor nerves.
apoplexy means poor circulation and
nerves interfered with, usually by
pressure The text book will tell you
that "apoplexy is a disease produced
by congestion or rupture of the blood
vessels of the brain, and causing sud
den arrest of sense and motion, the
patient lying as if asleep, while breath
ing and the hearts action continues"
The exciting causes are: Intemper-
ance. mental emotions, blows on the
head, intense study, wearing of tight
articles of clothing, thereby obstruct-
ing circulation, prolonged STOPPING,
the use of opiates, exposure to the rays
of the sun lifting heavy weights,
straining, violent vomiting, baths at
to high a temperature, wading In very
cold water, the suppression of natural
discharges, accidental loss of blood,
etc, ali of Which proves my theory of
the ci; culation.
Persons with a horld complexion,
short neck and large abdomen and
tendency to rapidly accumulate flesh,
have cause to fear apoplexy, especially
if they live high and take little exer-
by such persons is highly dangerous,
as the nerves are weakened Exces-
sive mental labor, sudden great ex-
element and continued exhaustive
physical labor may bring on a stroke
of apoplexy in anyone. Again there
are peculiar organizations and weak
ened nerve force whose blood vessels
seem liable to become brittle, and
prone to burst readily. Even very
thin persons and those who live most
carefully may thus suffer from apo
plexy.
While a stroke of apoplexy comes on
with great suddenness, still there are
certain premonitory symptoms usually
manifested which should be recognized
and needed as warnings by those who
are especially inclined to the disease,
and should cause them to be careful
in their habits. These warning symp-
toms are: Headache, dizziness, espe-
cially when STOPPING; blurred vision,
throbbing sensations in the neck or
head, ringing in the ears, flushing of
the face, especially after eating or
slight exertion, bleeding of the nose.
No one of the symptoms alone would
indicate apoplexy, but many of them
together, occurring In persons predis-
posed to the disease, should give occa-
sion for great concern
A stroke of apoplexy may come on
in one of three ways. First, the vic
tim experiences sudden pain, darting
through the head; he then becomes ex-
tremely pale, sick and faint, and per-
haps vomits freely; his memory rapid
ly leaves him and his countenance ap-
pears deathly and his eyes have va
cant stare He sinks into most pro-
found stupor and dies, These cases are
almost hopeless, for their Is little
vitality to be aroused Second, there
may be sudden paralysis upon one
side of the body loss of speech and
agony of mind Such cases
are sometimes slow In developing and
full recovery from the paralysis is
probable. Third, the victim usually
falls as though struck and lies in a
stupid sleep, having no power CT
speech or thought, the face is flushed,
the teeth clenched, the veins of the
neck large and distended, the breath
ing slow and heavy and snoring, and
the pulse slow and full and its stroke
hard or violent beneath the fingers;
the cheeks are distended and often the
breath passes through them with a
putting sound. The pupils of the eyes
remain unchanged as light is brought
near.
Apoplexy from the bursting of a
blood vessel gives sudden and COM
plete unconsciousness, and is frequent
ly fatal, some patients dying In four
or six hours, most living from three
to nine days and small number re-
covering with the exception of more
or less paralysis. But no person after
a stroke of apoplexy can be consid
cred out of danger until ten days after
the attack. third attack usually
proves fatal unless manifestly
brought on by excessive eating.
The treatment for this disease usual
ly depends upon the immediate cause
of the attack. If from overeating, the
distsnded stomach is pressing upon