A Mechanism of Concussion: A Theory

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Abstract
Exptl. evidence is presented to support a theory that damage to nervous tissue can result from a blow on the head or from the passage through it of an intense, rapid pressure wave delivered through water, chiefly as a result of cavitation, i.e., "formation and vehement collapse of cavities." This occurs during and following the negative phase of the pressure wave passing through the head. It may produce transient local shearing forces which would affect nerve cells, fibers, synapses, and perhaps even small blood vessels. These forces could stimulate or block nervous activity of varying degrees in different parts of the brain by distortion, depending on a number of variable factors (strength of force, direction of its application, rapidity of application, etc.). The cavities may be very small because of the short duration of the negative pressure and of the inertia of the tissue fluids. The effect is local. A scattering of the cavities may occur.

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