Report of the Poliomyelitis Committee of the Medical Association of the District of Columbia : epidemic 1910.

  • Medical Society of the District of Columbia. Poliomyelitis Committee.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report of the Poliomyelitis Committee of the Medical Association of the District of Columbia : epidemic 1910. 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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    Exaggeration of the reflexes is not noted; although the Babinski sign is said to have been present seven times. In estimating this statement, it must be remembered that in the very young child, the toe extends on stroking the sole, and that the defense re- action is easily mistaken for the sign of Babinski if the observer is not on his guard. As to the paralysis, it was most frequent in the lower limbs, occurring in one or both in nearly every case. The unusual number of cases in which paralysis was noted in neck, back and abdomen requires remark. It is possible that in some cases, rigidity has been termed paralysis; for in only four cases out of twenty- eight is it stated that a paralysis of the neck persisted; but it must not be forgotten that many reports did not comprise the further history of the case. Nervous System. Paralyzed parts at first flaccid, 106; rigid, 12. Neck rigid and legs flaccid, 1 ; stiff in joints, 1. Delirium, 11. Slight, 4; slight at first, 1; slight 2d week, 1; marked, 1; 1st night, 1, and 4 nights, 1; at first, 1; at night, 1; at times, 2. Insomnia, 56. Marked, 2; on onset, 1 ; during acute stage, 1; only on account of pain, 2; slight, 6; sleepy, 1; 2 days before death, 1; short naps night and day, 1; at first, 1; 1st 2 days, 1; did not sleep well, 2. Pain in head, 50. Frontal. 1 ; constant, 1; only 1st day, 1; slight, 2; at first, 3; l.st 2 days, 1; back, 2; some, 1. Neck, 59. At first, 1; at times, 1; stiff, 1. Back, 65. On movement, 1 ; at first, 1; much, 1; some, 1; tender, 1 ; lumbar, 1. Limbs, 7]. Left arm, 1; legs, 1; on movement, 1; right leg, 3 ; thigh, 1; left leg, 3 ; legs and thigh, 1; hips, 1; marked, 2. Elsewhere, 15. Situation and character of pain. Hip and knee on movement, 1 ; all over when handled, 1; stomach, 1; right leg, 2; left leg, 3; general, 2; left hip, 2; abdomen, 2; arms and legs, 1; upon movement. 1; back and right leg, 1; head severe and other parts, soreness, 1; in muscles, 1; right arm, 1; all over, 1; severe on motion, 1; intense, 1; sharp, 6; uncertain, 1; dull ache, 1; se- vere. 1; from distention, 1. Tenderness, 90. Pronounced, 1; cried when touched, 1; slight, 2; exquisite, 1 ; not at first, 1. Situation and character of tenderness, cervical and sacral regions, 1; right leg, 1; insertion of the hamstrings, 1; over entire left limb, 1; lower limbs, 16; calf muscles, 1; calf of left leg, 1; movement of legs, 1 ; over affected parts, 2; neck, 11; paralyzed parts, 1; general, 1 ; ankle, 1 ; buttocks, 1; right arm, 1; in all