Synopsis of cerebral and spinal seizures of inorganic origin and of paroxysmal form as a class; and of their pathology as involved in the structures and actions of the neck.

  • Hall, Marshall, 1790-1857.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Synopsis of cerebral and spinal seizures of inorganic origin and of paroxysmal form as a class; and of their pathology as involved in the structures and actions of the neck. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    24/118 (page 14)
    II. Mode of Action. 65. The Emotions act, in inducing seizures, directly on The Neck, along the nerves of the neck in the first place, on the muscles in the second place, and on the veins in the third. 66. It is in this manner, I believe, that shame acts in inducing blushing, which, from impeded flow of the venous blood, suffuses the face, the neck, and the bosom, and even the arms, with redness and some degree of purpurescence, and even intumescence. 67. In this manner, anger flushes the face, and issues in apoplexy, paralysis, epilepsy, and even mania ! 68. In this manner, the susceptible person is choked with grief, and the violent person with anger. 69. The Irritations act in a diastaltic manner on the same muscles and veins. 70. Hence the flushing and the seizures arising from gastric, enteric, and uterine irritation. One patient never ate an indigestible meal with- out feeling a sense of constriction in the front and lateral part of the neck, and of choking. A deranged state of the intestine, and uterine erethism, produce similar effects and dangers. 71. Sleep appears to me to act negatively, by greatly withdrawing the influence of volition, and leaving the muscles of the neck to contract, like the orbicularis, by direct spinal action. The cheeks flush, the conjunctivae become suffused ; the sleep may become heavy and almost apoplectic, whilst the larynx is even affected by a degree of stertorous laryngismus. Every kind of seizure, from oneirodynia to apoplexy, paralysis, epilepsy, and delirium, inclusive, is the too frequent further consequence.