On the nature and treatment of softening of the brain / by Richard Rowland.

  • Rowland, Richard, -1854.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the nature and treatment of softening of the brain / by Richard Rowland. 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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    When the corpus callosum is diseased to any extent, paralysis of movement appears to be invariably induced. I have not been able to find a single well- marked exception to this law, which is one of great interest in the pathology of the brain. 2. There is a peculiar condition of the motor organs occasionally seen in the earlier stages of chronic softening, in which the limbs have not only diminished muscular power, but they are likewise stiff and painful. The symptoms, in many respects, resemble chronic rheumatism, but, the weakness and rigidity are prin- cipally limited to the limbs of one side taking the hemiplegic form; the pain also, has a thrilling cha- racter, and is accompanied by a sensation of numbness. The manner and address, the vacant expression, the slow drawling speech and fading memory which accompany this state, are strongly suggestive of cerebral disease; and this apprehension is usually confirmed by the affected limbs becoming subsequently palsied. 3. But the most remarkable symptom connected with the organs of voluntary motion, is that tonic contraction of the flexor muscles termed contracture or spastic rigidity. In an extreme degree of this action, the muscles of the extremities are kept in a state of rigid spasm, and the exercise of the will over them is entirely suspended; nor can the limb be straightened by any amount of force, short of that which would rupture the muscles. Even the attempt occasions much suffering; for the parts when in this condition are generally morbidly sensitive, and are frequently attacked with paroxysms of severe pain.
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