Case of tabes.

Tabes is a progressive wasting disease and this film demonstrates the salient features of a case of a gentleman of indeterminate age. He is dressed only in pyjama bottoms. The film is interesting as the patient undergoes a series of neurological tests; firstly the gait is observed, then he stands with his eyes closed (he is very unsteady). We are asked to observe his 'ptosis' (his upper lids drooping). He has no knee jerk and a delayed rection when the sole of his foot it pricked with a long pin. He has hypotonia (low muscle tone). Although, not specifically mentioned, the diagnoses could be tabes dorsalis which is syphilitic in origin.