Nervous and mental diseases . conditionis insignificant or unnoticed at birth, and appears during the first year oflife, especially during the first six months. The head gradually or rap-idly enlarges in all its diameters and measurements. An increase inthe circumference of the head at a rate of a centimeter daily has beennoted, but usually it requires several weeks for that amount of enlarge-ment to take place. The outline of the skull is globular and mayoverhang the face, ears, and occiput, which are not correspondingly en-larged. The internal pressure is manifest at the bulging fontanels,wh
Nervous and mental diseases . conditionis insignificant or unnoticed at birth, and appears during the first year oflife, especially during the first six months. The head gradually or rap-idly enlarges in all its diameters and measurements. An increase inthe circumference of the head at a rate of a centimeter daily has beennoted, but usually it requires several weeks for that amount of enlarge-ment to take place. The outline of the skull is globular and mayoverhang the face, ears, and occiput, which are not correspondingly en-larged. The internal pressure is manifest at the bulging fontanels,which are increased in size and connected by Avide-open sutures. Thereturn circulation of the cerebrum is impeded, and the collateral veins inthe scalp and face become distended and strikingly apparent. From theoutward tilting of the frontal bones the orbits are directed downward andthe ocular globes are often maintained in the same direction, even to sucha degree that the cornea is only seen with difficulty. Oj)tic atrophy and. HYDROCEPHALUS. 273. blindness are frequent. Nystagmus and strabismus are common. Fluc-tuation is readily obtained on palpation, and the head, in extreme cases,may be translucent. The hydrocephalic child shows little ac-tivity, can not raise its head sometimes, or onlydoes so with the aid of its hands. There is atendency to peevishness and restlessness orsomnolence and coma, broken by generalizedconvulsions and a frequently repeated distressedcry. Older children complain of pain in thehead. The body and limbs suffer in their nu-trition and are unequal to the task of holdingup the head and trunk. In some cases spasti-city develops in the limbs, especially in thelower ones, and some paralytic loss of power isfrequently noted. Vomiting is frequent andmay be provoked by movements or much ^ig. loo.—chronic hydro. ,*,,. ^ ^ cephaliis lu a child of foui nanulmg. years. Circumference of head, If not rapidly fatal by exliaustion, convul-sion, coma, or syncope, th
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, booksubjectmentalillness, booksubjectnervoussys
