Cases of apoplexy and lethargy: with observations upon the comatose diseases / By J. Cheyne.

  • Cheyne, John, 1777-1836.
Date:
1812
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cases of apoplexy and lethargy: with observations upon the comatose diseases / By J. Cheyne. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    15 tation affects the patient. Convulsions occur in many cases of apoplexy, but are not, as has been supposed, invariably a fatal symptom. The convulsions are observed generally either at the beginning of the attack, or immediately before death; and, before the conclusion of the attack, | whether in death or recovery, we usually dis- cover some paralytic affection in the limbs or the sphincters. The convulsions affect both the sound and the palsied side of the body, although, in general, they are confined to the former. | In this disease the functions of the brain are first extinguished. In as far as the system of the brain, alone, is concerned, we draw our prognostic from the quantity of sensorial power which still exists in the body. Thus we do not despair until the pupil ceases to contract.. With any return of sensibility our hopes rise, and with the diminution of it they are destroyed. The greatest danger is to be apprehended when the patient is seized with convulsions. A very unfavourable prognostic is also drawn from the patient’s putting his hand to his head. Certainly