Diseases of the spine and of the nerves / By C.B.R., John Netten Radcliffe, J.Warburton Begbie, Francis Edmund Ainstie and John Russell Reynolds.

  • Radcliffe, Charles Bland.
Date:
1871
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Diseases of the spine and of the nerves / By C.B.R., John Netten Radcliffe, J.Warburton Begbie, Francis Edmund Ainstie and John Russell Reynolds. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    OP THE SPINE AND OF THE NERVES. T. DISEASES OF THE SPINAL CORD. By C. B. Radcliffe, M.D., F.R.C.P. A. Preliminary Remarks. Before proceeding to eope with the intricate and difficult patho- logical topics which form the subject of the present article, it appears to be expedient to glance at some points in the physiology of the spinal cord, and also to try and ascertain the true significance of pain, spasm, and certain symptoms analogous to paiu and spasm, which figure conspicuously in the histories of spinal maladies; for if these matters be not disposed of as preliminaries now, they will prove to be the cause of frequent and distracting digressions afterwards. 1. A glance at some points in the physiology of the spinal cord.—The result of recent researches has been to establish in the fullest manner the truth of Sir Charles Bell's great discovery, that the posterior roots of the spinal nerves are devoted to sensation only, and the anterior roots to motion only. In one article, at least, the creed of to-day is the same as that of yesterday: and it is some comfort to have it so, for in many other articles faith is not a little shaken by the changes of belief which are now found to be necessary. The view once held that the posterior columns of the spinal cord are made up of bundles of fibres passing from the posterior roots of the spinal nerves to the sensorium has proved to be untenable. Transverse division of these columns produces in the parts behind the section, not numbness, as it would do if these columns were simply the continuation of the posterior roots of the spinal nerves, but hy- peresthesia; and the pain resulting from the section is found to be due, not to any sensitiveness in the columns themselves, but to the irritation having extended to the posterior roots of the spinal nerves. Transverse division of these columns produces in the parts behind the section, not paralysis, but loss of co-ordinating power, such as is seen in locomotor ataxy. Moreover, the researches of Mr. Lockhart Clarke