[Problem of classifying the commotio cerebri into severe and slight injuries (author's transl)]

Our material of medical legal investigations backs up the theory that the time of amnesia as part of the commotio cerebri seems to be prolonged under the influence of alcohol, and that retrograde amnesia is more frequent in drunken patients. A purely contusional damage of the skull of overtired and/or drunken persons more often leads to concussion of the brain. The case histories never contained detailed information about the exact duration of unconsciousness. Therefore, the common classification of the commotio cerebri into severe or slight injuries does not seem to be justified. It should better be defined as a slight injury.