Remarks on evolution and dissolution of the nervous system / by J. Hughlings Jackson.

  • Jackson, J. Hughlings (John Hughlings), 1835-1911.
Date:
[1887?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on evolution and dissolution of the nervous system / by J. Hughlings Jackson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    popularly as “ prostration,” &c. After a severer attack of le petit mat there (10) remains what is called (Section 14) “loss” of consciousness, implying, it is suggested, still deeper exhaustion, and, correspondingly, more paralysis. But often there is (11) with the “unconsciousness” a concerted series of elaborate movements of all parts of the body (mania for one example) which are the physical counterparts of what are psychically actions or conduct. Now, contrary to some physicians, I submit that these are not the result of anything like an epileptic discharge, but that they arise during activities on the lower level of evolution remaining (Section 4). The prior epileptic discharge has left exhaus- tion of, say, the highest “layer” of the highest centres (dissolution); the series of movements result from activity but super-normal of the second, the no longer controlled layer. Here is a phenomenon of the same order as increased rate of cardiac action after section of the vagus. (18) Suggested Scheme of Work. — Before going further I make the following statements, partly in recapitulation and partly to give an outline of future exposition. We have to show how the following superficially different sets of phe- nomena occur from disease of the “ organ of mind,” and how they are explicable on the principle of dissolution. (I) From sudden, rapid, and excessive discharges beginning in some part of the “ organ of mind ” we have universal or widespread convulsion or its equivalents. Although con- sciousness arises during slight sequent discharges of nervous arrangements of the highest centres, it ceases during the sudden, &c., discharges thereof. (II) After the fit there is often insanity. We make three degrees of post-epileptic insanity. There are correspond- ingly three depths of exhaustion (dissolution) effected by the discharge in the prior paroxysm, each depth being propor- tionate to the severity of the prior discharge. To these negative physical states the negative mental symptoms, defects of consciousness, marked (a) correspond. There are correspondingly three shallows of evolution ; the positive mental symptoms, the patient’s mentation, marked (b) corres- pond to what are physically activities on these lower levels. (1) After, or in, a slight fit, there is (a) defect of conscious- ness as to present surroundings with (b) increase of con- sciousness (“ dreamy state ”) as to some former surroundings. (See Section 17.) These are selected cases of le petit mol, and the nature of the physical condition for the symptoms is dis-