Reflex paralysis.

  • Mitchell, S. Weir (Silas Weir), 1829-1914.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reflex paralysis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    17/18
    th view seems to lis adequate to explain the fa< the notion of vaso-inotor irritation and capillary contraction (Brown Seqtjard) does not appear to be competent to cover all the facts. We have pointed out that no one has ever shown that capillarj traction can exist as a permanent state in a nerve centre. While on the other hand, it has been proven that section of a sympathetic nerve involves permanent dilatation of bloodvessels; but in thehrain, which is supplied by the sympathetic of the neck, division of this nerve give-; rise tc no disturbance, although the side of the brain on which the section occurs grows warmer. However, it is probable that the whole supply ol vaso-motor nerves to the brain does not come from the neck, while; other organs, whose whole supply we can cut oil', as the kidneys, do certainly suffer nutritive changes as a consequence of such sections. One or other of the two theories we have offered must therefore be called on to explain the central changes which give rise to reflex paraly- sis. Either the shock of a wound destroys directly the vital power of a nerve centre, or it causes paralysis of the vaso-motor nerves of the centre, with consecpaent congestion and secondary alterations. But there is no m why if shock be competent to destroy vitality in vaso-motor nerves or centres, it should be incompetent so to effect the cent i motion or sensation. Until the causation of these cases is better under- stood, it is vain to speak confidently as to treatment founded on a con- ception of the mode of their production. Experience has shown that the removal of the first cause, and in some instances the application of altera- tives, as blisters to the cicatrix, prove valuable in relieving such induced pain as may exist. Eurther, that stimulating liniments or blisters to the affected member are useful, and that the local application of in electric currents to the muscles is of the utmost service. The question of the use of internal remedies has yet to be decided by larger clinical experience. We, ourselves, have been unfortunate in that no3cbanccs have presented th of treating the. i then- endeavored to show in this report that the condition culled shock is ol the nature of a paralysis from exhaustion of nerve force; that it may affect on- or many nerve centres, and finally, that it may be so sevi . certain cases to permanent central^ nerve changes, pro- ductive of paralysis of ''■ 0T °-' f,hhcr alone. VEITt MITCHELL, GEO. il. MOREHOUSE, W. .W. KEEN, Jr., .1, i A i Surgeons, U. S. Army O. S. General Hospital, Christian St., Philadelphia, /'< February 15, 1