The Physiological Basis of Concussion

Abstract

151 cats, 15 dogs and 21 monkeys under general anesthesia by vinethene inhalation or by intraperit. nembutal were observed for criteria of concussion clinical (unconsciousness, tonic muscular spasm, loss of corneal reflex, respiratory and cardiovascular changes); and experimental (changes in intracranial pressure, electroencephalogram, action-potentials in peripheral nerve trunks, and blood pressure). Blows delivered to the intact dura mater by a wt. falling upon a water column were found more satisfactory than hammer or gunshot blows. The clinical effects were found to result from intense excitation of the C. N. S. persisting for some mins. after the blow; this excitation was concluded to be the result of discharge of neurones through mechanical depolarization of their cell membranes.