im or his friends. Reading,
conversation, and argument must be avoided to ensure absolute rest to
the brain.

#Cerebral Irritation.#--In some cases of injury to the
head--particularly of the anterior part and the parietal region--as
the symptoms of concussion are passing off, the patient begins to
exhibit a peculiar train of symptoms, which was graphically described
by Erichsen under the name of cerebral irritation. "The attitude of
the patient is peculiar, and most characteristic: he lies on one side
and is curled up in a state of general flexion. The body is bent
forwards and the knees are drawn up on the abdomen, the legs bent, the
arms flexed, and the hands drawn in. He does not lie motionless, but
is restless, and often, when irritated, tosses himself about. But,
however restless he may be, he never stretches himself out nor assumes
the supine position, but invariably maintains an attitude of flexion.
The eyelids are firmly closed, and he resists violently every effort
made to open them; if this be effected, the pupils will be found to be
contracted. The surface is pale and cool, or even cold. The pulse is
small, feeble, and slow, seldom above 70. The sphincters are not
usually affected, and the patient will pass urine when the bladder
requires to be emptied; there may, however, though rarely, be
retention.

"The mental state is equally peculiar. Irritability of mind is the
prevailing characteristic. The patient is unconscious, takes no heed
of what passes, unless called to in a loud tone of voice, when he
shows signs of irritability of temper or frowns, turns away hastily,
mutters indistinctly, and grinds his teeth. It appears as if the
temper, as much as or more than the intellect, were affected in this
condition. He sleeps without stertor.

"After a period varying from one to three weeks, the pulse improves in
tone, the temperature of the body increases, the tendency to flexion
subsides, and the patient lies stretched out. Irritability gives place
to fatuity; there is less manifestation of temper, but more weakness
of mind. Recovery is slow, but though delayed, may at length be
perfect...."

The _treatment_ consists in keeping the patient quiet, in a darkened
room, on much the same lines as for concussion.

#Compression of the Brain.#--This term is used clinically to denote
the train of symptoms which follows a marked increase of the
intra-cranial tension produced by such causes as haemorrhage, oedema,
t