Lectures on nervous diseases from the standpoint of cerebral and spinal localization, and the later methods employed in the diagnosis and treatment of these affections / by Ambrose L. Ranney.

Date:
1888
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lectures on nervous diseases from the standpoint of cerebral and spinal localization, and the later methods employed in the diagnosis and treatment of these affections / by Ambrose L. Ranney. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    several severe cases of tonic spasm of the muscles of the neck in a few- sittings by means of the indirect spark, and relieved manj^ cases of suf- fering from other forms of spasm in a short time. In EPILEPSY, the employment of galvanism alone has never, to my knowledge, resulted in a complete cure, although some decided benefits have been reported from its continued use. There is, to my mind, a close relationship in many cases between epilepsy and ocular defect^ to which I have ah'eadj called attention. This element in the causation of epilepsy certainly merits attention. When all defects in tlie visual apparatus have been corrected (in case such exist), or when other reflex causes (such as phimosis, for example) have been relieved, galvanism and static, electricity ma}' become valuable aids in controlling the subsequent convulsive attacks. Latent hyperopia, astigmatism, and insuflicienc}' of any of the muscles of the eyeball may (and, in my opinion, often do) excite epileptic seizures. It is absurd to expect of electricity, or any other therapeutical agent, curative results when so important a source of irrita- tion of the central nervous system is allowed to remain uncorrected. Rockwell's method of employing central galvanization in epilepsy does not, to my mind, equal in beneficial effects the use of static insula- tion and the drawing of indirect sparks from the neck and back of the patient. It is my custom, however, in some cases to employ both of these procedures, each being used alone during alternate weeks for a period of two or three months with daily sittings. In CHOREA I have obtained the best results with static insulation and sparks. My previous remarks respecting the relationship between defects in the organ of sight and epilepsy apply with equal force to this disease and all other tj'pes of functional nervous derangements. I liave discussed this subject more in detail when functional nervous diseases were being considered. If galvanism is employed, it is best to subject the muscles affected with spasm to the action of the anode. The prognosis will depend somewhat upon the duration of the disease. The earlier yow begin electrical treatment, the greater is the prospect of cure (provided all sources of reflex irritation have been successfull}' removed). My experience with faradaism in tlie treatment of chorea lias been somewliat limited ; but the results obtained by me have not been so satisfactory as with static electricity. In FACIAL SPASM (histrionic spasm) good results are occasionally obtained by following the plan of treatment suggested in connection with chorea; but ti'eatment of the facial nerve alone is seldom satisfac- tory. I have one case at present under treatment, however, in wiiich I have thus far had little, if any, success in my attempts to control the