Syphilis of the nervous system : a clinical study chiefly in regard to diagnosis and treatment : founded on the cases of Prof. Wm. H. Van Buren, M.D., and those of the author / by E.L. Keyes.

  • Keyes, E. L. (Edward Lawrence), 1843-1924.
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Syphilis of the nervous system : a clinical study chiefly in regard to diagnosis and treatment : founded on the cases of Prof. Wm. H. Van Buren, M.D., and those of the author / by E.L. Keyes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    paralysis of the right hand and twitching motions of both sides of the face, but this time his speech was not troubled, his intelligence was perfect, nor did he pass through any maniacal stage. The dose of the iodide was now run up to one hundred and eighty grains daily, and the headache disap- peared entirely for a time, while the general condition became greatly im- proved. But the stomach began to show irritation under these large doses, and the appetite ran down; consequently, the dose was reduced a little. The headache returned, and, early in January, 1870, the aphasia reappeared, and there were some convulsive movements in the fingers. The iodide was now at once run up to one ounce daily, and the nervous symptoms and headache again disappeared, and the patient remained comparatively well, up and about, without any headache for six weeks, until the middle of February, when a general sinking came on, attended with tremulous motions of both sides of the body, which progressed nearly to unconscious- ness. After five or six days, reaction set in with acute mania, mydriasis disappeared, there was no paralysis on either side, a constantly-increasing debility overcame the patient, and he died, intelligence returning, but not fully, before death. The iodide was discontinued seventy-two hours be- fore death, but no change in the symptoms ensued. Profuse acneic erup- tions were the only signs of iodism. During all the treatment, nourish- ment was pushed and tonics given interruptedly. Unfortunately, no post mortem was allowed. Case XI.—(First seen November, 1863.) , aged sixty-three. Date of chancre and early eruptive symptoms uncertain. In 1869, paralysis of the portio dura had come on, and been cured by the iodide of potassium. For some years past, he has complained of a “misery ” on the left side of his head, always worse at night, and always relieved by the iodide of po- tassium. He had, also, when first seen, a severe pain over the eyes. Iodide of potassium was given iD five-grain doses, but no relief was ob- tained until two or three mercurial vapor-baths had been taken, and an acneic eruption had been produced by the iodide, upon which the head- ache entirely disappeared. He remained well for a year, when his head- ache returned at intervals, and he began to run down and have a poor ap- petite. The mental condition was one of despondency. He was taciturn, indifferent to natural appetites, and desired to die. He was morose, had a defective memory, and difficulty in fixing his attention. Mercury, in the shape of vapor-baths, and internally with quinine, relieved the headache, as soon as the mouth became a little tender, and then a mercurial vapor- bath soon brought him to a happy, healthy condition, where he remained for six months. Late in the fall of 1866, he returned with some uneasy feelings on the left side of the head, which were relieved shortly by a few mercurial vapor-baths, and the mixed treatment internally. Ho now dis- appeared again for six months, as he always did on getting the better of his troubles. He never continued a mercurial treatment for more than three weeks at a time. In May, 1866, he was suddenly stricken in the early