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
He was now able to give a coherent history. It was now January. In the
previous September, he had left for Mexico; he was returning when he
suddenly fell to the deck, unconscious. After this fall, he had not been
well, having had chills and fever. At the Marine Hospital, he had been
diagnosed as suffering from malaria, and was given quinine. He had been
delirious a short time in the hospital, not being able to recognize his
wife, who called. He shortly improved so that his wife was able to take
him home. Nevertheless, headache, gastric distress, and intermittent
vomiting continued. A spell of confusion took place, two days before
admission. The patient tossed about, moaned, and failed to recognize
anyone. Malaria of the æstivo-autumnal type was demonstrated in the
hospital. The temperature always remained at normal. He was somewhat
emaciated and pale. The pupils were small, somewhat unequal, and reacted
though poorly to light and distance. The tendon reflexes were lively.
The W. R. of the serum was positive, and information from the patient’s
physician runs to the effect that there was a syphilitic infection some
seven or eight years ago, followed by secondary symptoms, but the
patient had refused to take any protracted treatment. The spinal fluid
examination was practically negative.
=Mentally=, the patient was euphoric, expansive, boastful, and showed a
marked emotional instability and considerable memory defect.
1. Can the diagnosis of general paresis be made in Joseph Temple?
Certainly the acute confusion and the syncope are consistent
enough with the diagnosis, yet the severe malaria makes it seem
likely that the phenomena were due to a cerebral attack of
malaria, and such occurrences are found in the æstivo-autumnal
form of malaria. Yet malaria would hardly explain the euphoria,
memory defect, and the pupillary findings, to say nothing of the
irritability and the active tendon reflexes. Even if we regard the
active tendon reflexes and the irritability as malarial, the other
phenomena remain outstanding as exceedingly suspicious of paresis.
On the other hand, if we try to support forcibly the diagnosis of
general paresis, we are hardly able to explain the negative
findings in the spinal fluid.
In point of fact, a study of the patient’s past life revealed a
story that the mental traits of euphoria, irritability, and memory
defect had been characteristic of the patient for many years. In
fact, there is some question whether the patient is not really to
be regarded as a moron of high grade.
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