the  sensibility  natural,  the  organs  of  special  sense,  viz.  :
sight,  smell,  hearing,  taste,  and  touch,  in  a  normal  state  of
activity ;  the  life  of  relation,  as  well  as  the  phenomena  of
nutritive  and  organic  life,  free  from  all  signs  of  morbid
derangement  ?

It  is  generally  admitted,  that  no  structural  changes
can  originate  in  the  heart,  lungs,  liver,  stomach,  uterus,
kidneys,  or  bladder,  without  presenting,  prior  to  death,
obvious  symptoms  of  their  existence.
Tubercular  disease  of  the  lungs,  hydatids  of  the  liver,
cancer  of  the  uterus,  calculus  of  the  bladder,  fatty  dege-
neration of  the  kidneys,  hypertrophy,  and  valvular  disease
of  the  heart,  cannot  (in  the  majority  of  cases)  exist  with-
out manifestly,  and  often  seriously,  disturbing  the
special  functions  of  these  organs.  Upon  what  principle
should  the  brain  be  an  exception,  to  the  general  patho-
logical and  physiological  laws,  regulating  other  organic
structures  ?

The  affections  of  the  brain  have,  I  maintain,  un-
doubtedly a  premonitory,  and  precursory  stage.  In  the
majority  of  cases,  the  mischief  established  within  the
cranium,  disorganizing  the  delicate  tissue  of  the  brain,
may,  upon  careful  examination,  be  detected.  There  are
pathognomonic,  and  diagnostic  precursory  signs,  which
serve  to  guide  the  inquiring,  diligent,  observant,  and
intelligent  eye  of  the  practical  physician,  and  enable  him,
with  some  degree  of  certainty,  to  discover  the  first  scin-
tillations of  brain  disease,  even  when  the  patient  and
those  about  him  repudiate  all  idea  of  cerebral  ill  health,
and  refuse  to  acknowledge,  the  necessity  for  medical
advice,  or  treatment.
