Concussion of the Brain, in Medicine, is one form of Shock (q.v.)—that, namely, where the symptoms are due to an injury which has shaken or jarred the brain, and stunned the patient, without producing any mechanical injury, so far as can be ascertained, to the brain or skull. It is generally believed that concussion alone can produce severe symptoms and even death, though conclusive proof of this has not yet been given. It is apt to occur from a severe blow or fall on the head, from railway accidents, &c. The symptoms are those which characterise shock—pale and cold skin, feeble pulse and respiration, with the addition of unconsciousness. This condition may last a few minutes, and be followed by rapid recovery, or may terminate in death. But in most cases it is succeeded by a period of reaction after an hour or more (often ushered in by vomiting, which is thus a favourable symptom), when the skin becomes warmer, the pulse stronger, and consciousness gradually returns. During reaction, congestion or inflammation of the brain is apt to occur. Recovery is usually complete; but sometimes loss of memory, weakening of mental power, undue excitability, or some other sign of impairment of the nervous mechanism, remains for a long time or even permanently.
In regard to treatment, the patient should as quickly as possible be put to bed in a well-aired room, with warm bottles or blankets applied to the body and limbs, and should have injuries to other parts attended to; but beyond this, the less he is interfered with the better. In particular, brandy and other stimulants should on no account be given, except by medical direction; for though occasionally necessary, they do much more harm than good in the great majority of cases. During the period of reaction the patient must be kept very quiet; and for some days at least after apparent recovery he must abstain from alcohol and other causes of excitement, and from mental exertion.