Essays on the theory of convulsive diseases / by Marshall Hall.

  • Hall, Marshall, 1790-1857.
Date:
[1848]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Essays on the theory of convulsive diseases / by Marshall Hall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    In pertussis, there is no convulsion, however violent the fits of coughing, until extreme laryngismus or closure of the larynx occurs. In bronchitis, and in asthma, there is no convulsion, be- cause there is no laryngismus. Laryngismus is the efficient cause of convulsion in epilepsy. It is the first link in the fearful chain of symptoms in this fearful malady. To Mr. Barlow I am indebted for the details of a case of epilepsy, in which the extreme laryngismus and closure of the larynx was preceded by stridulous laryngismus, precisely similar to the crowing inspiration of infants. It is laryngismus which destroys the patient in hydro- phobia. It is laryngismus which destroys the patient in the case of poisoning with strychnine. In tetanus, it is pharyngismus perhaps, rather than laryn- gismus, which distresses the patient. The extent of the fearful influence of laryngismus in disease has not been appreciated in or by the profession. It is laryngismus which proves the cause of sudden death— vV^hich has occasionally induced dismay in the practitioner, and unjust reflections on the part of the patient's friends— in cynanche tonsillaris, and in scarlatina anginosa. It was by merely witnessing the phenomena of strangu- lation in hydrophobia, that the late Dr. Physick, of Phila- delphia, was induced to suggest the operation of tracheotomy in this dire malady—a suggestion full of promise, if, indeed, there be hope at all in this disease*. Juster views of the pathology of epilepsy will at least pi'eveut us from attempting to give anything, far less any irritant or excitant, as cold water, or sal volatile, in the fit of epilepsy. In epilepsy, as in the crowing inspiration of infants, extreme laryngismus may be the cause of sudden death. When this does occur, it may be induced by the attempt to give even cold water. Mr. Barlow was recently informed of such a fatal event, arising froiu this very cause, acting in this very manner, in the case of a little patient on his list at the In* firmary for Children. • See the Life of P. S. Physick, M.D , by J. Randolph, M D. &c. 1839; page 58.