Malignant pustule ; Acute farcy or glanders in the human subject ; Cases of muscular anaesthesia? / by Alfred Carpenter.

  • Carpenter, Alfred, 1825-
Date:
[1874]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Malignant pustule ; Acute farcy or glanders in the human subject ; Cases of muscular anaesthesia? / by Alfred Carpenter. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    assistance under ordinary circumstances, she walked a sliort distance alone, and made one or two steps with the eyes closed. She stood for some time, the eyes being shut, without falling. In these experiments she was assured by the observers that she would not be allowed to fall. [It was evident that the exertion could not be long maintained] (2) Cutaneous sensi- bility, as tested by points. Dr. Lockhart Clarke found to be about normal over back and at various points on leg. It was observed during the investigation that red spots quickly appeared when the points had been applied; and the mother stated that bites or stings of insects produced great irritation, which lasted many days. (3) Cutaneous sensibility, as tested by the induced and continued current, with carbon points (Dr. Richardson’s). Interrupted current, at eight points, caused gentle sensation at outer side of thigh ; lost at six powers; on inner side, seven powers felt, lost at five. Continuous current of thirty powers not felt on outer part of thigh; caused burning sensation at inner aspect. Similar results from comparative experiments on Dr. Carpenter ; muscular contractility and sensibility tested by faradaic and galvanic electricity with moist sponges. In- duced current of full power caused no contraction, and little sensation in muscles of calf or anterior aspect of leg, powerful contractions in muscles of thigh ; with some pain, but much less than in comparative experiments on observers, and on muscles of arm of patients. Continuous current (fifteen cells): no effect on muscles of calf or front of leg, either in making or breaking contact; burning pain when contact made. Con- clusions made by Drs. Richardson and Clarke: Great impair- ment of muscular contractility; no loss of muscular sensibility. This patient resisted powerfully flexion or extension of the knee-joint Case 2. (1) Inspection; Curvature of spine slighter and lower down. Stronger than her sister. Requires guidance, but not much support in walking. Gait unsteady and feeble; no jerking of limbs. Says that when eyes shut, she does not know whether she is in the perpendicular position or not, and would not know whether she were leaning on one side. She walked the length of the room alone, and for about six steps with the eyes closed. Stood for some time with the eyes shut, the body swaying slightly to and fro. C.an move legs into any