Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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« limb to respond by contractions, on the application of a given moderate current, more promptly and powerfully than do those same set of muscles on the opposite and sound side, we may fairly conclude that the paralysis is due to some existing brain disease, and the lesion, whatever it may be, is of an irritative character, and that the case is not ready for this treatment. The following is a case of hemiplegia resulting from apoplexy, and showing the electro-muscular contractility diminished. First Class. — Captain G., aged forty-five, has a noble frame and powerful muscles; is of a healthy family, and has led an active life. Last fall, some eight months ago, he had an apoplectic attack, which well nigh destroyed him. He finally rallied, how- ever, after a loss of consciousness for several hours, but very gradually and doubtfully. After some time he was found com- pletely paralyzed on his left side, including both his arm and leg, and also the right side of the tongue and face. He is a gentle- man in good circumstances, and had every thing done for him in medical attendance and care, that could be, during the fall and winter. When he was brought to my electrical rooms, this past summer, he showed a recovery of nearly one half of the original paralysis; but the mobility in the tongue, face and leg, is greater than in the arm. This latter was quite helpless; yet he appeared to complain most because he could not walk. He was able to help himself considerably, but in a moderate and trembling way. By the aid of an attendant each side of him, he can get out of the carriage and work his way into the rooms, which are on the ground floor. I cannot learn that he indulges in any excess, and besides, has dismissed the care of all business since the acci- dent. His pulse is sixty-six; his respiration twenty-six. He finds much difficulty in the managing of his hands at the table, and still more in adjusting and buttoning his clothes. His men- tal faculties are correct, but his wife says he has not his usual quiokness of thought or speech; has no pain in his head or limbs, and his speech is becoming improved. The whole left side of the body and limbs is soft, flaccid, and cold, and a little dimin- ished also in size and sensibility, with spots of purple, and mimb- ness, but no appearance of rigidity of any of the paralyzed