On some disorders of nutrition related with affections of the nervous system (neurotic dystrophies) / by William M. Ord.

  • Ord, William M. (William Miller), 1834-1902.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On some disorders of nutrition related with affections of the nervous system (neurotic dystrophies) / by William M. Ord. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    normal reactions. In this case there is no history of gout, of lead-poisoning, or of causes likely to give rise to spinal trouble. These dystrophies of muscle and nerve are not accompanied by dystrophies of skin. The joint-affection was, to all appearance, preceded by a distinct accession of muscular debility. Articular Dystrophy brought about by Irrita- tion of Spinal Cord.—If the considerations upon which I have been dwelling indicate the probability that some such influence as is excited by the spinal cord in producing muscular atrophy may produce also articular dystrophy, there are others which bring into stronger relief the influence of the spinal cord in bringing about directly affections of joints independently of muscles. I cull from my note-book a typical case of the kind. A lady, of healthy family and healthy personal antecedents, went, soon after her marriage, to an evening party. For the reception of a large number of guests, a tent was provided. Rain fell heavily all the evening, and saturated the canvas. For certain reasons, she did not dance, but sat in the tent for some hours, with her back to the wet walls, experiencing, although not actually in contact with the moisture, a sense of intense chill in the back. Within a day or two, arthritis set in in both knees. It was not intense, but presently gave rise to much swelling and deformity. The ankles, hips, elbows, hands, and shoulders were in succession attacked with the same trouble. All the joints were excessively swollen, tender, and painful; but the muscles were not noticeably affected. The joint-affection was one of steady progression, not one of paroxysmal exacerbation followed by increased mischief, and ended by rendering her practically helpless as regarded locomotion, simply by reason of pain. Her