Synopsis of cerebral and spinal seizures of inorganic origin and of paroxysmal form as a class; and of their pathology as involved in the structures and actions of the neck.

  • Hall, Marshall, 1790-1857.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Synopsis of cerebral and spinal seizures of inorganic origin and of paroxysmal form as a class; and of their pathology as involved in the structures and actions of the neck. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    51. In speaking of the subjects of this Synopsis, we may now speak, not of apoplexy, paralysis, epilepsy, mania, but of nervous seizures, assum- ing an apoplectic, paralytic, epileptoid, or maniacal form ; and thus our diagnosis will be implied in one designation. Indeed, these affections pass into each other. 52. And this remark leads me to state, that it is not without just cause, nor, I think, without great advantage to the science and practice of Medicine, that I establish, in this work, a new and distinct Class of Diseases o f the Nervous Centres, Inorganic in their Origin, and Paroxysmal in their Form, and dependent on pathological principles, viz. Trachelismus and Laryngismus, previously unrecognized. 53. But there is another form of paroxysmal affection, to which I must advert in this place—a form hitherto undetected, undistinguished. It is that of Spinal Syncope. 54. Instead of flushing and becoming purple, the patient turns pale and ghastly, perhaps with a cold and clammy perspiration. This form of attack may occur in the same patient who had formerly experienced the more ordinary attacks of epilepsy—showing their relation to each other It may be slight. In one case, which I shall detail hereafter, it proved suddenly fatal. It appears probable that the case of spinal syncope arises from a sudden impulse of blood on the medulla oblongata, and the influence of this on the heart. 55. Lastly, there is another event to which I must briefly advert, in this place. It is that of Hidden Seizure, with its various effects, unintelligible until their origin shall have been detected. c 2