Medical diagnosis : with special reference to practical medicine. A guide to the knowledge and discrimination of diseases / By J. M. Da Costa ... Illustrated with engravings on wood.

  • Da Costa, J. M. (Jacob Mendes), 1833-1900.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical diagnosis : with special reference to practical medicine. A guide to the knowledge and discrimination of diseases / By J. M. Da Costa ... Illustrated with engravings on wood. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    CHAPTEE 11. DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD, AND OF THEIR NERVES. The study of the disorders of the brain, and, in truth, of those of the entire nervous system, is very difficult. Yet great advance has been made of late years in untangling many knotty problems ; and at least the more tangible evidences of nervous disease are clearly recognized. It is with these that this sketch is intended to deal. But before entering upon a consideration of the affections of the nervous system it is proper to recall a few salient points con- nected with its structure and functions indispensable to a recog- nition of its derangements. AVe have constantly to bear in mind that there are in its composition nerve-cells composing ganglia, which are for the most part originators, and nerve-fibres, which are for the most part conductors, and, besides, a peripheral termi- nation of these conductors, which forms a peripheral nervous sys- tem, chiefly concerned in receiving and distributing impressions. In the brain and spinal cord are the principal nervous centres which originate and control, and in the brain especially our knowledge of the subject of localization and special function of particular points has become so extended that it is made the basis of accurate diagnostic knowledge, which has of late years assumed the gi-eatest practical importance. Cerebral Localization. Either for his own purposes or to co-operate with the surgeon, the physician, prior to intelligent therapeutical or operative proce- dure, must often satisfy himself of the seat of the lesion from a great variety of symptoms, and a summary of what we know of the centres in the brain is here a necessity.