In medical jurisprudence. A sudden and severe depression of the vital functions, particularly of the nerves and the circulation, due to the nervous exhaustion following trauma, surgical operation, or sudden and violent emotion, resulting (if not in death) in more or less prolonged prostration; it is spoken of as being either physical or psychical, according as it is caused by disturbance of the bodily powers and functions or of the mind. See Ma.vnard v. Oregon R. Co.. 43 Or. 03, 72 Pac. 590.