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
There was, of course, little doubt of the =diagnosis= of CONGENITAL
SYPHILIS and of FEEBLEMINDEDNESS. The W. R. was positive both in the
blood and in the spinal fluid. The gold sol reaction of the fluid was of
the “paretic” type; there were 44 cells per cmm. and there was a large
excess of albumin and much globulin.
As to prognosis, there is doubt.
1. Is, or is not, this a case of juvenile paresis?
2. Is it, perhaps, a relatively permanent case of feeblemindedness
due to congenital syphilis? On the whole, on account of the spinal
fluid symptoms, we should be inclined to give the case a
relatively poor prognosis, namely, of death in a few years.
However, we may perchance be later surprised to learn that the
patient has lived on, at least into early adult age.
Note: Mercury tablets in some cases of congenital syphilis do not
seem effective. John Friedreich was treated most intensively by
syphilographers from birth.
Dr. W. E. Fernald in a personal communication stated that
syphilitic cases of feeblemindedness are rather those of the
imbecile and idiot groups than of the higher levels. This
statement emphasizes again that the true hereditary cases of
feeblemindedness are rather those of the higher group, whereas the
cases in which special causes have operated in the uterus or in
early life eventuate in idiocy and imbecility. However, such a
case as that of Friedreich shows that now and then a case of
feeblemindedness without evidence of neurological disorder and
looking in almost all respects like an hereditary case may be at
times produced by syphilis.
3. How often is the central nervous system involved in hereditary
syphilis? An interesting table bearing on this point is presented
by Veeder.[16] The table concerns the lesions in various parts and
systems of the body in 100 cases of late syphilis. It appears that
in 47, or approximately one-half of Veeder’s series of 100 late
cases, the infection developed some form of lesion of the nervous
system. As Veeder remarks, this result runs counter to the common
statements of pediatricians, notably of Holt.
Bones:
Periostitis tibia 4
Periostitis skull 1
Osteomyelitis 1
Joints:
Acute arthritis knee 8
Acute arthritis ankle 1
Skin:
Macular eruption 1
Condyloma anus 3
Gummata 3
Alopecia 3
Eye:
Interstitial keratitis 24
Choroiditis 1
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