INJURIES TO THE HEAD. Concussion or Laceration of the Brain

Categories: Diseases of The Nervous System

The brain
may be injured by a blow on the head, or indirectly by falling fully upon

the feet or sitting down hard upon the buttocks.



Symptoms. The person who is injured may lose his balance and fall, become

pale, confused, and giddy, may have nausea and vomiting and recover. If

the injury is more severe and there is a tear of the membranes of the

brain or the brain itself, the patient will fall and lie quietly w th a

feeble and fluttering heart, cold, clammy skin, and apparent

unconsciousness; he can be roused by shouting but will not reply

intelligently. He will be able to move his limbs. The urine and contents

of the bowels will be passed involuntarily. As he gets better he may

vomit. He may soon return to entire consciousness, but still suffer from

some headache, feel wearied, and tired, and not feel like exerting

himself. This may continue for some time. Occasionally the results are

more serious even after a long time has passed, and an abscess of the

brain should be watched for, sometimes epilepsy or insanity follows. If

the patient grows worse instead of recovering, either deep seeming sleep

sets in or symptoms of inflammation of the covering (meninges) or the

brain itself follows. Such injuries must be carefully watched, for you can

not tell at first how severe they may prove to be.



TREATMENT. What to do First. Put the patient to bed without any pillow,

and put around his body hot water bottles or bags, suitably covered. He

should be kept quiet and free from excitement, and sleep should be

encouraged. Hot water or ice water, when awake, as is most agreeable to

the patient, may be given. Aromatic spirit of ammonia, during the shock is

better for the patient to take than alcohol, for alcohol excites the

brain; dose, one-half to two drams; the former can be given every ten

minutes in a little water for about three doses. Surgical treatment may be

necessary at any time.