This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 edition. Excerpt: .by that portion of thespinal marrow which is inferior to fte seat of the inflammation, a-t paralyzed. The para lysis of the respiratory muscles is particularly grave and dangerous and quickly proves fatal.

When the inflammation is seated in the lumbar portion, violent colics are observed. The bladder and rectum are almost always more or less paralyzed. A most peculiar feature, if it be not a constant one, is the convulsive shocks in the paralyzed parts which have a great resemblance to the reflex movements after strychnine poisoning. " All these symptoms, in cases which do not run too rapid a course, present distinct remissions and exacerbations. When the spinal column alone is affected, consciousness remains unimpaired; yet the patients generally manifest unwonted excitement and sleep either fails or is very unquiet. " The disease may prove very rapidly fatal, especially when its seat is near the brain, but it may also last for weeks before it proves fatal through exhaustion. If it terminates in recovery this is hardly ever complete, especially after inflammation of the substance itself, but there remain as sequelte, various paralytic phenomena. It may finally pass over into the chronic form.

Before we treat of this we will cite the symptoms which are given as mrks of distinction between meningitis and myelitis. In the former the pain is more diffused and is much increased by motion, whereas in myelitis it involves a small spot and is materially aggravated only by pressure. The febrile symptoms are more violent in meningitis. In myelitis the paralysis sets in very quickly and is complete, in meningitis it comes on gradually. "The chronic form may, as has been said, be developed from the acute. Where however, it arises.