STROKE

is caused by a blood-ve el in the brain breaking and allowing the blood to escape into, and to destroy, the surrounding brain substance. This accident is only likely in the case of those with arteries that aro brittle from chalky material deposited in their walls and with sufficiently strong hearts to burst an artery thus made brittle. Hence, it is most common in middle-aged men who are gouty or ene fog and who lead active lives, ‘Tho stroke most often happons after a full meal or during some fit of pa ion. T'he symptoms; a sudden lo of consciousne from which tho patient cannot be roused; the breathing is noisy; the motions or urine are often pa ed; the limbs may be convulsed down one side and are usually limp on one side and stiff on the other. If recovery Sele — power is regained nt mir or part, but one side of the body is partially paralysed, the leg recovering before the ae — the arm before ane hand The skilled movements of the f uired by special training, are the last to be sequbadte ever Ste In strokes down the right sido the speech is affected. Tho os still act together after a stroke and the power over the bladder is retained, sensation also is retained even on the ee side. In two months’ time, in most cases, the invalid is able to walk with tho aid of a stick. The treatment during the attack consists in loosening the clothing round the neck and Propping up the head and shouklers. Hot bottles may be app ied to tho feet, but they must be well protected by flanne! for burns easily result. By turn i tho patient on his side the noisy breathing is often a peeled No stimulant must. be Biren; this mistake is commonly made. Five grains of calomel should be placed on the back of the tongue. The prevention of mf are can be effected by restriction of the diet and alcohol during middle age, together with the avoidance of such forms of exercise a3 involve sudden strain a or great excitement, and by attention to the bowels, [Refer to Cerebral Thrombosis.} [s. 332]