On the muscular contractions which are occasionally to be observed after death from cholera. Read before the Westminster Medical Society, October 20th, 1849 / by Wm. Frederick Barlow.

  • Barlow, W. F. (William Frederick), 1817-1853.
Date:
1849]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the muscular contractions which are occasionally to be observed after death from cholera. Read before the Westminster Medical Society, October 20th, 1849 / by Wm. Frederick Barlow. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ON THE jT- MUSCULAR CONTRACTIONS WHICH ARE OCCASIONALLY TO BE OBSERVED AFTER DEATH FROM CHOLERA, Read before the Westminster Medical Society, October 20th, 1849, By WM. FREDERICK BARLOW, RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICER TO THE WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL. {From the London Medical Gazette.) Very remarkable contractions of the voluntary muscles are sometimes no¬ ticed after death in cholera. They are thus referred to by Dr. Watson in a lecture, containing a graphic descrip¬ tion of this dreadful pestilence :— 4‘Another most singular phenomenon was occasionally remarked in the dead body. A quarter, or half an hour, or even longer after the breathing had ceased, and all other signs of anima¬ tion had departed, slight tremulous spasmodic twitchings and quiverings, and vermicular motions of the muscles would take place; and even distinct movements of the limbs in consequence of these spasms.”* A case of cholera which was ad¬ mitted into the Westminster Hospital (under the care of Dr. Basham) some weeks ago, first gave me the opportu¬ nity of observing this curious affection. A tall, well-made, powerful young man, in good health (apparently), was overtaken by cholera, and speedily succumbed to the disease. He was literally death-stricken; and when first seen it was but too evident that he would die quickly. A strong subject, his vigour nothing availed him; he sunk more rapidly than many weak ones; suffering, be it noted,most cruelly from cramps, which have but slightly afflicted many patients. I was by his bed-side just after he expired, and took occasion to ob¬ serve movements similar to those which have been long ago noticed in the cho¬ lera of India. Within two minutes ofj his ceasing to breathe, muscular contractions be¬ gan, becoming more and more nu¬ merous. The lower extremities were first affected. Not only were the sar- torius, rectus, vasti, and other muscles thrown into violent spasmodic move¬ ments, which made their outline pal¬ pable, but the limbs were rotated forcibly, and the toes were frequently bent. The motions ceased and re¬ turned : they varied also; now one muscle was moved ; now many. Quite as remarkable were the movements of the arm: the deltoid and biceps mus¬ cles were peculiarly influenced; occa¬ sionally the forearm was flexed upon the arm, flexed completely, and when I straightened it, which I did several times, its position was recovered in¬ stantly. The fingers and thumbs were now and then contracted, and at times the thumbs were separately moved. * Lectures, vol. ii. p. 487.