(a) Paralysis of the ocular (eye) muscles.—The vision becomes double, the eyelids do not act normally, may droop. The eye may not move in every direction as it should.
(b) Paralysis of the muscles of mastication (eating). Symptoms.—If paralysis is only on one side, it is difficult to chew; if on both sides, chewing is impossible. The jaw hangs down.
[NERVOUS SYSTEM 295]
(c) Paralysis of the facial (face) muscle.—This is a rather common occurrence, and is due to exposure to wet, and cold, diseases of the middle ear, tumors, etc. Symptoms:—The eyelids do not close tightly, and tears are continually trickling over the cheek; the corner of the mouth droops and the saliva runs out, etc. The mild cases last two or three weeks; the severe form from four to six weeks; the worst cases usually recover in a long time.
(d) Paralysis of the muscles of the upper extremity.—There are various and many symptoms, but with all there is the same loss of the usual motion. That particular muscle does not do its special work; for instance, if the paralysis is of the deltoid muscle of the arm and shoulder, it is not possible to raise the arm, usually pain in the shoulder. The muscle soon wastes and the head of the arm bone (humerus) falls away from the shoulder, etc.
(e) Paralysis of the muscles of the lower extremities.—Paralysis of the "Gluteus Maximus and Minimus." (Hip muscles). Lifting up of the thigh is difficult and so is walking up hill or rising from sitting position. The toes are turned out. The other muscles may be paralyzed and simply cannot do their usual duty.
(f) Toxic (poison) paralysis. Lead paralysis.—It is hard to extend the fingers. The lead line is shown on the gums.
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Palsy.—Remove the cause. Give salts and iodide of potash. Paralysis from arsenic, mercury, zinc or copper:—The symptoms are those of neuritis and are greatly similar in each kind. The spongy gums show mercury; the puffy face and diarrhea show arsenic poison. Remove the cause.
CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN. (Diseases of the Cerebral (Brain) Circulation).
(Hyperaemia).—The brain is too full of blood.
Causes. For Active Congestion.—Over-exertion in study, etc.; chronic pletbora (too much blood in the blood vessels); from constant use of alcohol, tobacco, amyl nitrite, and from the stomach.