Читать книгу Neurosyphilis. Modern Systematic Diagnosis and Treatment Presented in One Hundred and Thirty-Seven Case Histories онлайн

65 страница из 85

2. What is the significance of the term general paresis? The case of Martiro is, of course, a good instance to show that the term is sometimes a misnomer. The characteristic generalized motor incapacity denoted by the term general paresis is shown in patients in the institutions for the chronic insane in their last few months of life. The term paresis is perhaps to be preferred to the term paralysis because the paralysis is not complete but partial; but perhaps the best reason is that the word paresis is a shorter word. When the mental side is to be emphasized, the term paralytic dementia is employed. In this book we have used the term paretic neurosyphilis to mean a more precise statement of the etiology of general paresis (general paralysis, paralytic dementia). The lay term, softening of the brain, like the terms metasyphilis and parasyphilis is in the present phase of our knowledge to be eschewed.

Euphoria in paretic neurosyphilis (“general paresis”). The head, arms and trunk were shaking with mirth; hence, the indistinct outlines of the photograph.