Injuries of nerves and their consequences - Reflex Sympathetic ...

TREATMENT. 305
this and other cases improve under treatment without any
cessation in the application of the water. The left hand,
which, it will be remembered, was also eczematous, is
painful on pressure or touch, especially in the palm.
is positive that there is pain in that hand, and that it is a
burning pain. Both hands are kept covered Avith loose
cotton gloves, which he wets at brief intervals. He is
especially fearful of having the right hand touched, and
is nervous and hysterical to such a degree that his relatives
suppose him to be partially
He
insane. It is difficult
even to examine him properly on account of his timidity,
and his whole appearance exhibits the effects of pain,
want of rest, and defective hsematosis. His treatment
was constitutional and local. It answered admirablj' so
far as gain in health and loss of pain were concerned.
The after-means employed to cure the deformities and
restore motion were partially successful.
Remarks.— The electric tests satisfied us that in time
the muscles could be restored, and assured us that the
nerve communications were entire.
The sensibility was
slightly imperfect. Motion, though feeble from atrophy
in some parts, was present in every group of muscles.
It was limited by the contracted muscles and by the
nutritive lesions in the joints. These two combined have
damaged the power of movement, and left worse eifects
than usually result from partial paralysis affecting directly
the motor nerves. Had proper passive motion been early
used, there can be little doubt that the hand would now
be far better than it is.
January 25, 1867. — Health and strength ver}'' good ;
attending the hospital school. Eyesight in right eye lost,
of course ;
the lids are now constantly in contact, and do
not look as unseemly as before ; they can be somewhat
separated, showing the shrunken ball, the sclerotic only
beino- visible.
is