Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine [528]
to India. At the time the patient came under the care of Morris, his general health seemed unaffected. The skin of the whole body, except the face, the scalp, and the front of the chest, was of a mahogany color. The skin of the lips was so thickened that it could not be pinched into folds, and was of a mottled appearance, due to hemorrhagic spots. All over the thickened and reddened surface were scattered crops of vesicles and boils. The nails were deformed, and the toes beyond the nails were tense with a serous accumulation. The glands in the right axilla and the groin were much enlarged. The hair on the pubes had disappeared. The abdomen was in a condition similar to that upon the limbs, but less in degree. The front of the chest below the nipples was covered with dark papules the size of a pin's head. The back, the buttocks, the face, and the scalp presented similar lesions. The most striking lesions were three ulcers--one on the back of the right hand, one on the right temple, and the other on the left cheek. The largest was the size of a florin, and had elevated borders, somewhat infiltrated; they were covered with a brown, dry scab. The patient suffered from itching at night so that he could not sleep. He was kept under observation, and in spite of treatment the malady advanced in a periodic manner, each exacerbation being preceded by a feeling of tension in the parts, after which a crop of vesicles would appear. Sometimes, especially on the feet, bullae formed. The patient finally left the hospital and died of an intercurrent attack of pneumonia. A microscopic examination revealed a condition which might be found with a number of the chronic affections of the skin, but, in addition, there were certain cell-inclusions which were thought to represent psorosperms. Morris thought this case corresponded more to mycosis fungoides than any other malady.
CHAPTER XVII.
ANOMALOUS NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASES.
Epilepsy has been professionally recognized as a distinct type of disease since the time of Hippocrates, but in earlier times, and popularly throughout later times, it was illy defined. The knowledge of the clinical symptoms has become definite only since the era of cerebral local anatomy and localization. Examination of the older records of epilepsy shows curious forms recorded. The Ephemerides speaks of epilepsy manifested only on the birthday. Testa mentions epilepsy recurring at the festival of St. John, and Bartholinus reports a case in which the convulsions corresponded with the moon's phases. Paullini describes epilepsy which occurred during the blowing of wind from the south, and also speaks of epilepsy during the paroxysms of which the individual barked. Fabricius and the Ephemerides record dancing epilepsy. Bartholinus and Hagendorn mention cases during which various splendors appeared before the eyes during the paroxysm. Godart Portius, and Salmuth speak of visions occurring before and after epileptic paroxysms. The Ephemerides contains records of epilepsy in which blindness preceded the paroxysm, in which there was singing during it, and a case in which the paroxysm was attended with singultus. Various older writers mention cases of epilepsy in which curious spots appeared on the face; and the kinds of aura mentioned are too numerous to transcribe.
Baly mentions a case of epilepsy occasioned by irritation in the socket of a tooth. Webber reports a case of epilepsy due to phimosis and to irritation from a tooth. Beardsley speaks of an attempt at strangulation that produced epilepsy. Brown-Sequard records an instance produced by injury to the sciatic nerve. Doyle gives an account of the production of epilepsy from protracted bathing in a pond. Duncan cites an instance of epilepsy connected with vesical calculus that was cured by lithotomy. Museroft mentions an analogous case. Greenhow speaks of epilepsy arising from an injury to the thumb. Garmannus, early in the eighteenth century, describes epilepsy arising from fright and terror. Bristowe in 1880, and Farre speak of similar instances. In Farre's
CHAPTER XVII.
ANOMALOUS NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASES.
Epilepsy has been professionally recognized as a distinct type of disease since the time of Hippocrates, but in earlier times, and popularly throughout later times, it was illy defined. The knowledge of the clinical symptoms has become definite only since the era of cerebral local anatomy and localization. Examination of the older records of epilepsy shows curious forms recorded. The Ephemerides speaks of epilepsy manifested only on the birthday. Testa mentions epilepsy recurring at the festival of St. John, and Bartholinus reports a case in which the convulsions corresponded with the moon's phases. Paullini describes epilepsy which occurred during the blowing of wind from the south, and also speaks of epilepsy during the paroxysms of which the individual barked. Fabricius and the Ephemerides record dancing epilepsy. Bartholinus and Hagendorn mention cases during which various splendors appeared before the eyes during the paroxysm. Godart Portius, and Salmuth speak of visions occurring before and after epileptic paroxysms. The Ephemerides contains records of epilepsy in which blindness preceded the paroxysm, in which there was singing during it, and a case in which the paroxysm was attended with singultus. Various older writers mention cases of epilepsy in which curious spots appeared on the face; and the kinds of aura mentioned are too numerous to transcribe.
Baly mentions a case of epilepsy occasioned by irritation in the socket of a tooth. Webber reports a case of epilepsy due to phimosis and to irritation from a tooth. Beardsley speaks of an attempt at strangulation that produced epilepsy. Brown-Sequard records an instance produced by injury to the sciatic nerve. Doyle gives an account of the production of epilepsy from protracted bathing in a pond. Duncan cites an instance of epilepsy connected with vesical calculus that was cured by lithotomy. Museroft mentions an analogous case. Greenhow speaks of epilepsy arising from an injury to the thumb. Garmannus, early in the eighteenth century, describes epilepsy arising from fright and terror. Bristowe in 1880, and Farre speak of similar instances. In Farre's