APHASIA

Categories: Diseases of The Nervous System

A partial or total inability to express thoughts in words or to
interpret perceptions.



Varieties. Motor and sensory aphasia.



Causes. Softening of the brain, tumors of the brain, lesions in syphilis

especially, hemorrhage in the brain, blows on the head, and inflammation

of the brain and its covering.



Symptoms of Motor Aphasia. The patient cannot make the muscles of the

la ynx, tongue, palate and lips perform their functions and produce

speech. The patient knows what he wishes to say, but cannot pronounce it.

This may be complete or partial. Complete, when the patient can only utter

separate sounds. Partial, when the words are only slightly mispronounced

and when some certain words cannot be pronounced at all. In some cases,

nouns only or verbs cannot be pronounced. Agraphia, means inability to

write down the thoughts. Sensory aphasia: word deafness. This is an

inability to interpret spoken language. The sound of the word is not

recognized and cannot be recalled; but sounds such as that of an engine

whistle, or an alarm clock, are heard and recognized. Word-blindness: the

person cannot interpret written language. Pharaphrasia: cannot use the

right word in continued speech; the patient uses words but misplaces them.






Recovery depends a great deal upon the cause.



Treatment. Treat the cause. If from syphilis, iodide of potash and

mercury. If from an injury or tumors, operate if possible. Teach the

patient how to speak, read and write. The result of this often gives you a

pleasant surprise.