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

TREATMENT. 813
four, enlisted December, 1861, Company G, 88th Pennsylvania
Yolnnteers.
education and of refined
A man of good
habits, but uncontrollably intemperate as to stimulants.
He was, with this constant exception, in good health until
injured at Cedar Mountain, July 12, 1862. He fell and
struck the right ulnar nerve, at the bend of the elbow, on
an angle of rock, causing the usual numbness and tingling
in the ultimate distribution of the nerve. The sense of
formication along the inside of the arm continued for
some months, but the limb was in full use again the day
after the accident. About December, 1862, the third and
fourth fingers became weak, and gradually the loss of
power affected all the fingers, the thumb, and the wrist.
June 24, 1863.— At this time, the date of his admission,
he still possesses all the motions natural to the limb, but
all below the elbow are singularly feeble, so that he is
now unable to write. The motor paralysis is
gaining
ground. The loss of sensation is well marked in the ulnar
distribution, and is gradually increasing in the median
distribution. The localizing sense is also much confused.
The point of injury shows no scar, but the ulnar nerve is
tender to the gentlest pressure, and the median nerve is
hardly less so. The hand is as warm as usual. There is
no swelling nor burning, and the nutritive changes are
not very notable as yet. The right forearm measures nine
and a half inches; the left measures ten inches.
The electro-muscular contractility is diminished in most
of the muscles. The electro-muscular sensibility is slightly
lessened. The treatment by faradisation and douches
was used actively, but caused electric neuralgia, which is
usually a favorable sign.
July 10th. — No better.
The neuralgia less, but the extensors
are contracting so as to limit flexion, and the
tenderness of the nerves continues unabated.
July lltli. — Ordered passive motion.
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Electricity to the