Observations on diseases of the spinal marrow / by John Abercrombie.

Date:
1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on diseases of the spinal marrow / by John Abercrombie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    marrow, the effect of them is extended over the whole body. Ludwig discusses the same doctrine more particularly, ascribing many hypochondriacal and hysterical affections to irritation at the origin of the intercostal nerves, and explaining the affections of the lungs, the larynx, &c. in such diseases, by the connection of these nerves with the par vagum. Lieutaud holds a similar doctrine, that all convulsive diseases in which the speech is not affected depend on diseases of the spinal marrow, and he consi- ders tetanus as an example. The same doctrine is supported by Burserius, FerneJius, and Bilfingerus (de tetano). Portal sup- poses that slight pressure on the spinal marrow produces con- vulsion ; and greater, paralysis. He thus accounts for the one passing into the other by gradual increase ol the pressure. In the present state of our knowledge, it must be confessed, that these doctrines are to be considered as little better than conjecture. If, however, we attend to the cases 1 elated in this essay, and others that are on record, we must observe, that many diseases and injuries of the spinal marrow have been attended by symptoms resembling those of chorea, tetanus, and other convulsive diseases. Hoffman mentions a boy, who, after re- ceiving a blow on the sacrum, was seized with a violent convul- sive affection, nearly resembling tetanus, with loss of memory, difficult articulation, and delirium. The complaint continued with m-eat severity for five days, and afterwards returned at nearly3 regular periods, for six months. Burserius relates the case of a man who died of tetanus, induced by exposure to cold after intoxication. On dissection, a large quantity ol \i>cid yellow serum was found under the outer covering of the spinai marrow. Frank also relates a case of “ horrible tetanus, which was induced by a blow upon the spine ; but he gives no account of the appearances on dissection. I he case related m page (3 ) of these observations, had also a resemblance to tetanus. In many of the cases that have been related, convulsive affec- tions of the extremities occurred in connection with diseases ol the spinal cord ; and the case quoted from Brera at page 5, bears a remarkable resemblance to chorea. Ihe case from I or- tal, at page 6, is also.deserving of attention. Colica Pictonum.—I have already referred to the case of a woman mentioned by Bonetus, in whom paralysis followed severe colic. Extensive serous effusion was found under the mem- branes of the spinal cord. Privatius, as quoted by Sauvage, mentions a young woman, who, after suffering from violent irastrodynia for three hours, was attacked with palsy of all the parts below the neck. She died after two months. At an ear- jy period of the disease, a protrusion had taken place of