Synopsis of apoplexy and epilepsy, with observations on trachelismus, laryngismus, and tracheotomy; and the proposal for a hospital for epileptics / by Marshall Hall.

  • Hall, Marshall, 1790-1857.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Synopsis of apoplexy and epilepsy, with observations on trachelismus, laryngismus, and tracheotomy; and the proposal for a hospital for epileptics / by Marshall Hall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    the lips and angles of the mouth livid, the eyes suffused, and some feelings of confusion of thought, headache, and dimness of sight, alternating with flashing of light, were induced. The latter effects remained after the cessation of the current, for a few minutes, and then disappeared.” 25. In these facts we have the Proof that a slight degree of con- traction of the muscles of the neck, induced by the electric current, induces, in its turn, heightened colour of the face, of a florid hue; and that a greater degree of that contraction induces a deeper colour of the face, the lips and angles of the mouth being livid, and the eyes suffused, with con- fusion of thought, headache, dimness of sight, alternating with flashes of light; these latter remaining for a few minutes after the cessation of the current, and then disappearing. They present the Demonstration of the nature of trachelismus, and of its effects. 26. The usual causes of these contractions of the muscles of the neck, and the consequent impeded flow of blood along its veins, are 1. The Emotions, and 2. The Irritations ; and especially fright, indignation, anger,—excitement, pleasureable or painful,—amongst the former; and the gastric, the enteric, the hysteric, amongst the latter. These causes induce tonic and inordinate action of the muscles of the neck, of which the patient is frequently quite conscious, and which he describes as ‘ strings,’ a sense of ‘ constriction,’ &c. or he experiences 4 choking fits,’ with 4 fulness of the face,’ as was the case with a physician whose career has been one of the most remarkable of the present day. 27. The most constant of these feelings of trachelismus is that of the cravat being too tight, though it be really not so, the patient constantly or repeatedly endeavouring to loosen it, by drawing it forwards with the fingers.