Comments on convulsive diseases / by Charles Bland Radcliffe.

  • Radcliffe, Charles Bland, 1822-1889.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Comments on convulsive diseases / by Charles Bland Radcliffe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    duce contraction. So far as we can see, therefore, the result at which we have arrived in these pages is borne out by the dictates of physiology as well as pathology,—by the general law of mus- cular action, as well as by certain isolated and imperfectly under- stood phenomena of disease,—but as the facts upon which the higher generalization rests are too numerous and complicated to be introduced here, we are unwilbngly obliged to refer the reader to the work in question for all further information.* It is not sufficient, however, to say that convulsion is con- nected with debility and prostration, except we can account for the occurrence of this phenomenon in some cases, and the absence in others; and it remains, therefore, that we endeavour to point out the special as well as the general characteristics of this state. What, then, we may ask, is the ultimate idea at which we can arrive in the investigation of this pathological condition ? Is it distinguished by any local affection? That it is not, would appear to be evident in the mere fact, that no one single affec- tion is to be pointed out as a constant and unvarying accompa- niment, as well as from other considerations which have been aheady entertained. An organ may become affected after the disorder is set up, and this—as we are taught by the first phy- siologist of the age—is most likely to be the spinal cord, but that this centre is the primary and sole source of mischief is not maintained by Dr. Marshall Hall himself. Indeed in his division of convulsive affections into centric, or those arising in the spinal cord, and excentric, or those originating elsewhere, it is fully evident that this physician is disposed to seek for the causes of these affections beyond any organic or functional changes in that portion of the nervous system with which his name stands con- nected, and will stand connected so long as physiology is a science. But, be this as it may, we have stated the ground upon which we venture to found our own opinion, and upon this we must stand or fall. The result is different if we proceed to inquire whether there be any general disorder upon which the convulsive symptoms can be supposed to be dependent. Thus, there is a remarkable diminution in the contents of the vascular system at the time of the seizure, which diminution would appear to be intimately connected with the seizure. Persons apt to tremble in the cold, * The Philosophy of Vital Motion. London: J. Churchill, Princes- street, Soho. 1851. C 2