Case of Tumour of the Brain

Daniel Kenny, æt. 60-70, admitted 22nd July, 1873, quarryman, married, first attack, which has lasted two months; no insanity known to be in the family; has always been a sober, respectable man. About the end of January began to complain of pain in the right side of his head, and used to ask his wife to put her hand there and feel if there was nothing unusual. He was a little irritable and down-hearted, but his wife did not notice anything further wrong with him till 14th May. On that day he came home from the quarry at two o'clock, complaining of great pain in his head. He had felt light in the head and dizzy, and appeared pale and faint when at his work, so that the overseer sent him home. He went to his bed, and had convulsions three times. He then became excited and wanted to get out, but his arm and leg were paralysed. His mind was quite changed after the fits, and never returned to its former condition. He was now unable to speak distinctly, except in short snatches. He could curse and swear freely; and when pressed to take food he would say no, or “I am not hungry,” or “don't bother me.” Once again, about 14th June, he had another slight fit. He gradually got worse, and more difficult to manage. He would not take his food—did not seem to have the sense to do so, and if left to himself would stuff the bed-clothes into his mouth. He recovered a little from the paralysis, and generally at four in the morning, his habitual rising hour, he attempted to get up and go out to his work. On the 12th July, he had got up, and was fumbling with a heavy block of wood, which he mistook for a crane; he fell and hurt his arm, after which he kept his bed. He continued very restless, and in a state of total confusion; working with the bed-clothes as if they were stones which he was hoisting up by the crane; swearing and shouting directions to his fellow workmen, and quite unable to recognise his wife.