Syphilis of the brain and spinal cord, showing the part which this agent plays in the production of paralysis, epilepsy, insanity, headache, neuralgia, hysteria, hypochondriasis, and nervous derangements / by Thomas Stretch Dowse.

  • Dowse, Thomas Stretch.
Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Syphilis of the brain and spinal cord, showing the part which this agent plays in the production of paralysis, epilepsy, insanity, headache, neuralgia, hysteria, hypochondriasis, and nervous derangements / by Thomas Stretch Dowse. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of the thighs, associated with tonic spasms of the lower limbs, sometimes brought on by sudden movement. There was marked absence of the signs of a local myelitis of the anterior horns of grey matter, such as formications, tingling, intrinsic muscular movements, cramps, and subjective sensations of burning, cold- ness, etc. The sphincters were never affected. The urine was of acid reaction and of normal gravity. At times there was a feeling as of a cord tied round the belly, but this was very variable. The electro-cutaneous and muscular response was either normal or exalted. Stohrer's induced current gave the following results : Cutaneous Sensibility, Feet 20 cells. Flexor surface of legs ... 12 ,, „ „ thigh ... 10 „ Region. 2nd Dorsal Spine 4th 6th loth ,, 2nd Lumbar Spine Over Spinal Cord. Time of Response. ... 4 sec. .. ... 6 „ ... 4 3 3 11 No. of Cells. 12 12 12 12 12 There was no muscular response to anything under 20 cells. Now, concerning the actual paralysis ; it came on in the follow- ing manner: She was wakened out of her sleep during the night by startings of the lower limbs, and on the following morning she found that she was unable to stand without support, or to move the lower limbs freely while lying upon her back. During the day, as the extremities became warm, her condition improved, and she could shuffle along from one part of the room to the other. But sometimes she would fall down suddenly, as if shot, and say that her legs completely gave way under her. It must be remembered that none of the signs of postero or even unilateral pressure were observable. At one time, motor power was almost completely lost, but sensation and sensibility remained normal. Taking these signs to guide me, I came to the conclusion that my patient was suffering from pressure upon the cord, the mem-