teaspoonful. Tincture of cayenne
pepper one to two drops in water. Ten grains of musk by the rectum.
Hoffman's anodyne one teaspoonful in ice water is very good.

[NERVOUS SYSTEM 303]

INJURIES TO THE HEAD. Concussion or Laceration of the Brain.--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 with 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.

INJURIES OF THE SPINAL CORD. Concussion of the Spine.--A severe jarring of
the body followed by a group of spinal symptoms supposed to be due to some
minute changes in the cord, of an unknown nature.

Causes.--Severe concussion may result from railway accidents or violent
bending of the body, f