Page:The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 1876.djvu/50

42 Bannistkk — Hie Pathology of Tetanus. the other coats of these canals. The symptoms are fully explained by this hypothesis. In this connection it is well to call attention to a recent able work by Heubner (Die Leutische Erkrankung der Hirnarterien), in which a very clear account is given of the clinical history and pathology of syphilitic lesions of the vessels of the brain. A study of this work will materially assist the observer in .the correct understanding of the symptoms of syphilitic cerebral disease, which might otherwise appear obscure.


 * 125, November, 1875.

TETANUS is a disease with which, fortunately, the majority of the profession have not an extensive practical acquaintance. Its fatality and the mysterious character of its phenomena have, nevertheless, strongly directed the attention of medical men to its study and observation. The result of all this has been to clear up many points in regard to it, and, with the advances in therapeutics, has made its prognosis, in many respects, more favorable; but at the present time the disorder is yet much involved in obscurity, and the most varying views are still held in regard to its true pathology.

The prevalent idea in the medical profession at the present time may, perhaps, be stated as follows: Tetanus is an irritative functional affection of the spinal cord, extremely acute in its nature, and causing severe, long-continued and painful contractions throughout the muscular system. Beyond this most persons, I think, would feel it safest not to go in their definition of the disease.