332

OF THE PHRENITIS.

Erysipelas, when driven from the part affected, isapt to fly to another, where it may be more dangerous,Applications, especially violent ones, for its removal/should be used with caution, and not without properadvice. There is not wanting- instances of its being-expelled the face, and fixing on other parts, where ithas proved fatal.

CHAP. xxvr.

I

I

OF THE PHRENITIS, or INFLAMMATION OF THE

BRAIN.

THIS is sometimes a primary disease, but ofteneronly a symptom of some other malady; as theinflammatory, eruptive, or spotted fever, &c. It isvery common, however, as a primary disease in warmclimates, and is most incident to persons about theprime or vigour of life. The passionate, the studious,and those whose nervous system is irritable in a highdegree, are most liable to it.

CAUSES.—This disease is often occasioned bynight-watching, especially when joined with hardstudy; it may likewise proceed from hard drinking,anger, grief, or anxiety. It is often occasioned bythe stoppage of usual evacuations; as the bleeding-piles in men, the customary discharges of women,&c. Such as imprudently expose themselves to theheat of the sun, especially by sleeping without doorsin a hot season, with their heads uncovered, are oftensuddenly seized with an inflammation of the brain,so as to awake quite delirious. When repellents areimprudently used in an erysipelas, an inflammationof the brain is sometimes the consequence. It maylikewise be occasioned by external injuries, as blowsor bruises upon the head, &c.SYMPTOMS.—The symptoms which usually precedea true inflammation of the brain are, pain of the head,redness of the eyes, a violent flushing of the face; dis-turbed sleep, or a total want of it, great dryness of the