inflammation of the ear and
the next is from fracture of the skull bones. It may be large or small.

Symptoms.--May come slowly or quickly. After an injury to the head the
symptoms may come on suddenly such as intense headache, delirium,
vomiting, chills, high fever, and sometimes convulsions, and a very deep
seeming sleep (coma). In chronic cases the symptoms are not so severe.

Treatment.--An operation if the abscess can be reached. If not, an ice bag
should be applied to the head; quiet the distress with narcotics.

TUMORS OF THE BRAIN.--Varieties in order of their frequency. Gumma,
tuberculous tumors, glioma, sarcoma, cancer, etc.

Causes. Predisposing.--Men are about twice as often affected as women
until fifty and then it is about equal. It is more frequent in early adult
life. The exciting causes are blows and severe emotional shock.

Gumma (in third stage of Syphilis) appear as a round, yellow, cheesy mass,
usually beginning in the membranes and are usually seen between thirty and
fifty. They come from syphilis.

[NERVOUS SYSTEM 297]

Tuberculous tumors. These appear as hard masses and vary in size. They may
be single or many, and are situated in any part of the brain. More than
half of the tumors appearing in children are of this variety.

Glioma. "Glue-tumor." They come from tissue forming the basis of the
supporting framework of the nervous tissue. This kind occurs often in the
young.

Sarcoma and Cancer are rare.

Symptoms.--The most of the growths start in the membranes of the brain,
and by compressing a certain part of the brain they produce their special
symptoms such as headache, vomiting, inflammation of the nerves of the
eye, double vision, blindness, the memory impaired, dullness and apathy,
an irritable temper, and sometimes become demented. There is often vertigo
or a sense of giddiness. There may be convulsions, and paralysis of some
muscles. A general tuberculosis tendency or history of syphilis will help
to make the diagnosis. In children it is more likely to be tuberculous.
The result is more favorable in tuberculous growths in children and
syphilitic tumors in adults. It may last from a few months to three years
in a bad case.

Treatment.--For gumma, caused by syphilis, iodide of potash and mercury
should be given. In both kinds, syphilitic and tuberculous, a nutritious
diet and general tonic treatment, such as cod-liver oil, iron, arsenic,
and quinine should be given. The bowe