EFFECT OF CONCUSSION UPON THE POLARIZABILITY OF THE BRAIN

Abstract
The polarizability of the cerebrum was studied in cats and guinea pigs following concussive and subconcussive blows produced by a pendulum. After subconcussive blows, no significant change of polarizability was found, while a significant decrease occurred following severe concussive blows. This change indicates an injury to cell membranes in the cerebrum; it is a reversible process, and it appears also in animals kept under artificial respiration. The impairment of the polarizability of the cell membranes, together with some changes affecting the interior of the cells, belongs to a group of secondary changes reaching a maximum after the fleeting functional disturbances characteristic of concussion have subsided.

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