Observations on general paralysis of the insane and on the morbid changes found on post-mortem examination of the spinal cord / by Robt. Boyd.
- Boyd, Robert, 1808-1883.
- Date:
- 1871
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Observations on general paralysis of the insane and on the morbid changes found on post-mortem examination of the spinal cord / by Robt. Boyd. 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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![and in the following month he had to be sent to the infirmary as he was getting quite helpless. Aug. 21, his spine had been blistered and he required croton oil, the bowels having become confined. His mother visited him, but he did not speak to her. The bowels still continuing obstinate he was ordered some more croton oil. 18G8, Feb. 6. Pulse 96, appetite good, tongue clean; is able now to walk and feed himself. Dirty in his habits, his motions pass in- voluntarily. Spine has been blistered, and he is taking bichloride of mercury. If not prevented, he is in the habit of constantly kneeling on the floor, and his knees have become very sore thereby. Feb. 18. Feels the point of a quill when applied to the soles of his feet. Tem- perature uuder tongue, 98; in axilla, 96 ; in the room, 65 degrees; face flushed. March 28, ordered phosphate of strychnine, and to get up daily. July 12, confined to his bed in the infirmary with severe attack of conjunctivitis. Is improving daily. Mental condition much more hopeful. Oct. 11, Mental condition less encouraging. Bodily health good. 1869, Jan. 1, not improved ; in the infirmary. April 5, in No. I; health improved, but shows no mental change. 1870, Jan. 27, in good health; mentally no change ; employed daily at the Quarry. Feb. 27, nowin the infirmary for the last fortnight; has a light attack of rheumatic fever ; relieved by alkalies. March 24, examination of chest. By percussion, sounds natural. By auscul- tation, anteriorly tubular breathing right side. Pulse 100, tremulous. Aug. 12, now in good health. Picks coir. Mentally no change. ■ 1871. Jan. 19, in good health. Childish in manners. Generally picks coir. He seems to have sunk into a state of chronic dementia. With the exception of a hesitation and slowness in speaking, there are now fewer symptoms of genera] paralysis than formerly. He walks with a slight stoop and shuffle, but his health and appetite are very good. He has been under no special medical treatment recently. Case V.—Wm. L., a pensioner, aged 56, married, has one son ; first attack, duration two weeks, was admitted July 15th, 1867, suffer- ing from mania and general paralysis. Previous History.—Parents dead, disposition stubborn, temper violent, habits dirty; religion, Church of England. Present state.—(Physically) general health in- different, pulse feeble, tongue white, skin cool, appetite good ; sensa- tions, blind and deaf, motion perfect, expression dull. (Morally) conduct violent to others, conversation obscene, ideas exalted, affec- tions altered, propensities to swear. Additional particulars.—Has been blind for some years; noisy at night. July 19. Cannot walk without assistance ; ordered a Turkish bath and was afterwards sent to the infirmary ; is gradually become more helpless, and ho is re- ported as being in Nov. confined to bed in the infirmary with well marked symptoms of paralysis. Dec. 28. Is very feeble and gradually getting worse, obstinate and abnsive when requested to do anything, lob. 8, 1868. Still in bed, in much the same state, temperature of](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b2235086x_0015.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
