A case of locomotor ataxy, without diseases of the posterior columns of the spinal cord / by A. Hughes Bennett.

  • Bennett, A. Hughes (Alexander Hughes), 1848-1901.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A case of locomotor ataxy, without diseases of the posterior columns of the spinal cord / by A. Hughes Bennett. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Beprinied from Vol. XVin of the ' Clinical Society'B^Trmewais^^Q A Case of Locomotor Ataxy, withmt/pisease 'a^ Posterior Columns of the Spinalifofd. Bj A. Hughes Bennett, M.D. Bead February'27, 1885. THE case to which I beg to direct the attention of the Society is specially interesting from the circumstance that, although the patient during life presented all the promi- nent symptoms of so-called tabes dorsalis, the posterior columns and cornua of the spinal cord were found after death to be without a trace of disease. This fact suggests certain im- portant considerations concerning the physiology and patho- logy of locomotor ataxy. The patient was a gamekeeper, aged 48, who stated that he had always been a healthy man, never having suffered from syphilis or other disorder. About fifteen years ago he com- plained of severe pains in his legs, which continued for three months, from which symptoms he completely recovered. He afterwards remained well till nine months before he came under observation. He then for the first time experienced gradual weakness of the legs, so that he was easily fatigued and was unable to do a full day's work. This slowly increased, without, however, actually incapacitating him from his duties. Some months afterwards he was attacked with severe shooting pains in his lower extremities, occurring in paroxysms, and shifting from place to place. With the advent of these the weakness of the legs augmented, and was accompanied with a sensation of numbness in the feet. He was therefore compelled to give up his situation as a nobleman's gamekeeper. On examination the patient was found in good general health. There was no evidence that his intelligence was abnormally affected, but he was an uneducated and stupid man from whom it was difficult to obtain a satisfactory account of his illness. There were no headaches or cerebral symptoms except occasional giddiness. Vision in both eyes was good, there was no paralysis of the ocular muscles, and the fundi of both eyes were normal. Voluntary movements of the eye- balls were accompanied with slight nystagmus. The pupils 1 ■7/