On the minute structure and functions of the spinal cord and medulla oblongata and on the proximate cause and retional treatment of epilepsy / Trans by William Daniel Moore.

  • Schroeder Van Der Kolk, Kacob Ludwig Conrad.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the minute structure and functions of the spinal cord and medulla oblongata and on the proximate cause and retional treatment of epilepsy / Trans by William Daniel Moore. 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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    The author's observations on the influence of the corpora olivaria in the articulation of words, and on the variety of lesions of speech which accompany morbid affections of different parts of the brain and medulla oblongata, are, I think, worthy of especial attention. His remarks on the intermittent character of many convulsive and neuralgic attacks, which are yet dependent on persistent causes, are calculated to afford much important aid in the establishment of the diagnosis in some difficult cases, where the most regularly recur- ring fits of severe suffering, though perfectly intermittent, are never- theless the result of intense organic disease. ~Not less important are the results of the measurements made by the author, of the diameters of the capillaries of the medulla oblon- gata in cases of epilepsy; whence he infers, that in patients who do not bite their tongues during a fit, the vessels are more liable to be dilated in the course of the vagus, and that from the consequent disturbance of the organs of respiration, the paroxysms are in such instances more dangerous to life. Lastly, the indications laid down for the rational treatment of epilepsy, are deserving of attentive consideration. I am glad to know that the valuable essay by Kussmaul and Tenner, on epileptic convulsions as consequent on large losses of blood, which is quoted by the Professor at page 209, is in course of translation for the New Sydenham Society, and will soon be issued to its Members in a complete form. The foregoing are some of the more important practical points dwelt upon in the following pages. In conclusion, I gladly take this opportunity of expressing my sense of obligation to the distinguished author of the original works for his kind cooperation during the progress of the task intrusted to me. I have had the privilege, while engaged in this translation, of constant corre- spondence with him, and of consulting him on all subjects in reference to which I might feel in any doubt. He has carefully revised each sheet while passing through the press, thus affording to the reader the best possible guarantee, that however the translation may fail in composition, it faithfully conveys the author's meaning.