particular art or science, were written in an aphoristic form, so that every detached fact, or assertion, might be reduced to a distinct proposition.
Aphthæ. See Thrush.
Apiary. See the article Bee.
Apium graveolens, L. See Smallage.
APOPLEXY is a disease in which the patient is suddenly deprived of sensation, and incapable of voluntary motion. Although nosologists have included several other affections of the head, under this denomination, yet it is usually divided only into two kinds, the sanguineous and the serous. The symptoms which distinguish the former are, a sound sleep, preceded by giddiness, and attended with snorting, noise in the ears, corruscations before the eyes, and redness of the face. If any thing be put into the mouth, it is immediately returned through the nose; nor can it be swallowed unless the nostrils be closed, in which case there is danger of suffocation. If the patient appear insensible, there is but little hope of his recovery. Sometimes the consequence of this attack is hemiphlegia, or palsy of one side of the whole frame, which is evident from a distortion of the mouth towards the sound side, a contraction of the tongue, and stammering of speech.
The general cause of sanguineous apoplexy, is a plethoric habit, with a peculiar determination of blood towards the head. Whatever tends to accelerate the circulation, such as surfeits, intoxication, immoderate exercise, and violent passions of the mind, may sooner or later occasion this disease. It seldom, however, occurs till persons have passed the age of sixty, and after a fulness of the veins has for a long time prevailed in the system. In many instances, it proves fatal on the first attack; and few survive a repetition of the fit. Those who apparently recover, are frequently carried off, without being warned of its approach.
The usual method of treatment consists in placing the body in an erect posture, and supporting the head in that situation; in copious and repeated bleedings from the jugular veins and temporal arteries, cupping, and the application of blisters to the head, or between the shoulders.
In the serous, or watery apoplexy, the pulse is small and feeble, the complexion pale, and there is a diminution of natural heat.—Upon dissection, the ventricles of the brain have been found to contain a larger quantity of fluid than they ought in a natural state. This species is equally fatal as the other, and may arise from any cause which induces a debilitated state, such as mental depression, excessive study, long watching, &c. It may also be occasioned by too plentiful an use of acidulated drinks. In this alarming complaint, bleeding cannot be attempted with safety: acrid, stimulating purgatives, and emetics, have been employed with a view to carry off the superabundant serum; but, in debilitated habits, they are liable to strong objections. Volatile salts, cephalic elixirs, and cordials, are usually prescribed; which, if a hemiphlegia supervene, may be aided by aperient ptisans, cathartics, and sudorifics, gentle exercise, especially in a carriage; blisters, and such other stimulating medicines, as are proper in paralytic affections.
The opinion, that the immediate
cause
