Neurosyphilis : $b Modern systematic diagnosis and treatment presented in one hundred and thirty-seven case historiesSouthard, Elmer Ernest
Science
Neurosyphilis : $b Modern systematic diagnosis and treatment presented in one hundred and thirty-seven case histories
Southard, Elmer Ernest
Neurosyphilis
The =diagnosis= was almost obvious from the manual and pedal deformities
taken in connection with the saddle-back deformity of the nose. It was
interesting in connection with the contentions of W. W. Graves, that the
scapulae were scaphoid in type.
Accordingly, the history given by the parents seemed consistent enough.
The parents were both 36 years of age, having married at 23. The first
pregnancy was a miscarriage at two months, of unknown cause. Theresa
came next; thirdly, came a miscarriage at three months; fourthly, a
girl, who is not strong or well physically, has suffered much from
headaches and sore throat, but is fairly bright. The fifth pregnancy
resulted in a boy, who is bright but of under-size. Three more
pregnancies resulted in miscarriage.
Taking into account the above-mentioned physical characteristics, the
personal history, and the family history of Theresa, the diagnosis could
hardly be in doubt even in the absence of a lack of pupillary reaction
to light on the right side, infantilism of genitalia, positive W. R.’s
of serum and spinal fluid, positive globulin, and excess albumin, 34
cells per cmm. and the paretic type of gold sol reaction which were
found.
The =prognosis= of this case appears to be rapid deterioration,
terminating in death within a few months. Now and again, however, some
such cases spontaneously improve. Such a case as that of Theresa Mullen
is always disheartening in itself but suggests the social value of
Wassermann tests in the other members of the family. The other children
of the Mullen family proved to be suffering also from syphilis, since
their blood sera all showed a positive W. R.
1. What is the characteristic age of onset in JUVENILE PARESIS? An
impression has prevailed in some quarters that the typical onset
of juvenile paresis is in the adolescent years, and Clouston’s
first case (1877) developed in a boy of 16. Thierry’s 58 cases,
developing from the 8th to the 20th year, averaged 14 years of age
at onset. Mott’s 22 cases from the 8th to the 23d year, averaged
17 years at onset. According to Clouston, juvenile paresis
develops most often at puberty (15 to 17 years). It is sometimes
claimed that cases developing symptoms early live longer, and that
juvenile cases developing symptoms after the 20th year run a short
course. For a case developing in the 5th year, see John
Friedreich, Case No. 77.
2. What may be concluded from the physical signs (congenital
amputations) present in this case before the development of mental
symptoms? Some cases of juvenile paresis appear to show no
physical signs whatever in childhood. While these amputations
might be the accidental result of a difficult delivery, it is more
probable that they are due to a syphilitic process.
[Illustration:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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