Selected monographs : Kussmaul and Tenner on epileptiform convulsions from haemorrhage. Wagner on the resection of bones and joints. Graefe's three memoirs on iridectomy in iritis, choroiditis, and glaucoma.

Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Selected monographs : Kussmaul and Tenner on epileptiform convulsions from haemorrhage. Wagner on the resection of bones and joints. Graefe's three memoirs on iridectomy in iritis, choroiditis, and glaucoma. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The occurrence of convulsions is, without exception, preceded by many different movements, most of which have been more fully described in KussmauTs above-mentioned treatise.1 We will here only briefly allude to some of them:— 1. Immediately after stoppage of the blood the various sphincter muscles of the face contract, especially, and in a very striking manner, those of the iris and eyelids; then, in the order of their distinct- ness, the conchse of the ears, the nostrils, and the mouth. The jaws, which are generally already closed, become spasmodically locked. Then, usually a little before but sometimes simultaneously upon the occurrence of general convulsions, the pupils, and the fissures of the eyelids, ears, and nostrils are widened, sometimes the mouth also very distinctly. The adductors of the under jaw seem also for a few moments to become paralysed, but during the attack the jaw becomes locked, either uninterruptedly or in broken succes- sion, by the alternate occurrence of spasmodic and more feeble abductions and stronger adductions. 2. Convulsive efforts are almost invariably made to turn the pupils towards the internal angles of the eyes; after which, the eye- balls generally roll about, first inwards, forwards and downwards, then outwards, backwards and upwards, until at length the pupils are turned towards the external angles of the eyes, and are wholly or partially concealed by the upper eyelids. 3. The eyeballs are first drawn back into the sockets, and again become prominent as the pupils dilate. 4. Respiration is at first accelerated, but shortly afterwards, a little while before the approach of general convulsions, it becomes prolonged and deep. 5. The muscles of the neck generally become paralysed and unable to bear the weight of the head, which sinks down upon the breast or side, the animals afterwards falling down in a swoon on their fore feet, occasionally on their hind ones. These symptoms of paralysis are the more distinct and constant the greater the time that elapses before general convulsions come on. The signal for general convulsions is given by a tonic contraction of the muscles of the neck. Then commences a terrible scene, the more surprising by contrast if preceded by swooning. The head is drawn violently backwards; the pupil becomes uncommonly enlarged; 1 Vide ' Zeitsclirift des Wurzburg. Pliys. Med. Vereins.'