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
1. Are the choreiform movements related to the demonstrable syphilis
of the nervous system? Neither the fluid W. R. nor the gold sol
reaction should be regarded as necessarily an indicator of tissue
loss. The fluid W. R. is commonly thought to signify merely that
the fluid contains substances which are somehow due to the
presence of spirochetes in some region pretty closely related with
the fluid. The gold sol reaction, although well established to be
characteristic of neurosyphilis, is perhaps not so strong an
evidence of the existence of spirochetes in the region from which
fluid constituents are derived. There is no pleocytosis. However,
the positive globulin test and the excess of albumin do indicate a
certain amount of destructive process somewhere in the neural
tissues. Are we to suppose that these substances have been
continually found during the course of this disease? This question
cannot be answered with the data in hand, and we can only suspect
that these positive tests for albumin and globulin are an effect
of tissue destruction caused by neurosyphilis. It must be admitted
that the argument here is a little tenuous. The lesson is plain:
that in the present stage of our knowledge the W. R. should not be
omitted even in cases which present a fairly convincing picture of
some well-known entity. Thus, a disease, which looks like
Huntington’s chorea, as well as a disease suggestive of multiple
sclerosis, requires investigation by the methods of the
syphilographer.
2. How shall we explain the changes in pupillary reaction in this
case? They cannot yet be explained. A few observers have reported
changes in pupillary reflexes in the direction of normality. In
our experience such changes have not been noted. It cannot be too
strongly emphasized that it is very easy to make errors in judging
pupillary reaction if care is not used. For instance, if the
patient is accommodating for near vision, light will probably not
cause contraction. A frequent cause of error in testing the light
reflex arises from using a weak electric light. An electric
flash-light is much less efficient than daylight. Probably the
most satisfactory method is to take the patient to a window, ask
him to look at a distant object, shade the eye with the hand,
remove hand, and observe.
3. What is the chief triad of symptoms in Huntington’s chorea? (1)
Choreiform movements associated with (2) progressive mental
enfeeblement, (3) occurring in a patient whose family history
shows a similar condition in a preceding generation.
=Differential diagnosis between NEUROSYPHILIS and SENILE
ARTERIOSCLEROTIC PSYCHOSIS.=
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account