Volume 1

Glasgow hospital reports / edited for the committee by George S. Middleton [and others].

Date:
1898-1901
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Glasgow hospital reports / edited for the committee by George S. Middleton [and others]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    began in a similar manner, and had much the same character and duration. Alarmed about this state of matters, he sought admission to hospital on June 11th, 1889, and was under treatment by mixed bromides, gr. v., increasing to gr. xv. t.i.d. till August 3rd, 1889, when he was dismissed much improved. While under observation on this first occasion he had only two fits. These were ushered in by pain in the left thumb and forefinger, extending up the arm towards the head. The actual fit was apparently a generalized convulsion, said to have been attended by sobbing and profuse perspiration. A fortnight after leaving hospital the fits returned, and have since continued to recur. At times intervals of from eight to sixteen weeks elapse, at others they occur daily, even though he may be under the influence of bromides. The fits, since he left hospital, have differed from the previous ones in so far as there has been no loss of consciousness. The aura has continued as before. For a month before his readmission the numbness and pain in the left hand and forearm have been becoming rapidly worse, and partial paralysis of the left arm, gradually extending to the leg, has developed. During the ten weeks he was under observation in hospital for the second time eighty-nine fits occurred. From August 21st to September l7fch there were no fewer than eighty-seven, on an average three daily. Under the influence of treatment they gradually became less frequent, and finally ceased. For three weeks no fits occurred. On October 10th, and again on the 26th, a slight recurrence took place, all treatment having been suspended on the 21st. Examination. The limbs of the affected side are somewhat flabby and cold. There is very decided paresis of the left arm and hand, the dynamometer registering on the right 50 kilos, on the left nil. Quite distinct, but less decided, paresis can be made out in the left leg on resisting movement. There is exaggeration of the left knee and wrist jerks, slight left ankle clonus, and the superficial reflexes are active. Tactile sen- sation is perfect. A feeling of numbness is experienced all over the left side, particularly in the arm and leg, and to a less