The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-09-16
A DISEASE OF CIVILIZATION.
Types of Parstic Observation-Disclosures
of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

A DISEASE OF CIVILIZATION. =
Types of Paretic a-Developmens
of Symptoms-Pecu1iarfti
Paretic dementia differs from ordinary
forms of insanity in that it is constantly
associated with organic diseases of the
brain or spinal cord, or both. There are
consequently two types-cerebral. OF
descending" and spinal, or ascend
ing'-both of which may affiict at the
same time the same person, acting to-
gether to deepen his mental gloom and
hasten him into his grave.
AS almost nothing is known concern
ing this disease by the general public,
and as even the average practitioner is
wofuIly in. the dark, description of the
symptoms and the progress of the dis
ease will doubtless prove important as
well as interesting. The three stages of
the disease may be thus classified: l..
Mental and moral deterioration and
other changes of character. 2. Exalted
decisions. 3. Progressing mental and
physical failure. All these cases are not
sufficiently well marked to justify these
determinations, but typical cases always
have a well-marled preliminary or incu-
batory period. Physically, the subjects
of paretic dementia are generally in good
conditions; there is little or no wear and
tear of the body through mental infiu-
ence; they sleep wen and they usually
get fat
The development of the symptoms is
very insidious, and usually covers a
period of from one to four years. Cases
have been reported, however, where an
ordinary lifetime was not sufficient to
get the patient beyond the preliminary
stage. The symptoms of spinal affec-
ton are chiefly pains in the lower ex-
tremities, double sciatica, color blind
ness. belt-lil1e sensations in various parts
of the body particularly the head,
double vision, etc. The same symptoms
may exist in cerebral paresis, but the
principal characteristic is sudden
change of character. The modest man
becomes boastful, the rich man prodigal,
the careful man reckless, the honorable
man thief, and the moral man de-
bauche. 1t is in such stages that
designing men and specializing women
have preyed upon rare game, which
would have been far beyond their reach
but for the mental blight that had fallen
upon their victims. Wealthy, respect
able fathers of families have been known
to commit bigamy under such influences,
forgetting at the time that they were
already married.
The paretic's memory, judgment,
morality, will and power of application
are weakened from the first. The bust
ness man becomes reckless or negligent,
and the good father or husband cruel
and Indifferent. The sufferer is SO absent
minded that he can not repeat the last
sentence uttered to him, or tell what was
being talked about, or of what he was
thinking at the time. Morbid irritability |
about tri1es is conspicuous. 1t is |
related of one man that he
threw a knife at a servant who removed |
his plate before he had quite finished
eating, yet heard with apparent apathy
a short time afterward of catastrophe |
involving a loss to him of over 500, 900. |
In this stage men are generous, Jolly /
good fellows" with boon companions,
but cruel, tyrannical, unjust and parsi-
within the family circle. Such
men have abused their wives for calling
in physician to prescribe for them, yet
uttered no protest whatever against be
ing taken to an asylum. They are cho-
lerical about petty affairs, phlegmatic at
important turning points in their careers,
and sanguine about, though easily di-
verted from carrying out their purposes.
They develop suicidal tendencies, hut
rarely perform the act of self-destruction.
While memory, will, moral and emo
tional balance are thus tottering, phys
ical and alcoholic excuses are INDUCED
in to an extent which quickly precipi-
tates more serious phases of the disease.
Remonstrance leads to outbreak, the in
of the police to violent phys
cal conflict, and the patient lands in AN
asylum.
Among the first physical symptoms is
a trembling of the lips and a difficulty in
the tongue while speaking. The
patient finds it difficult to utter explo-
sive or kissing sounds, and the longer
the word the greater the difficulty en-
The labials and dentals-
P. b. NJ. T. Dare the severest tests.
Such words as truly rural" and "Pere-
crime Pickle" are almost unacceptable
to the ear. Later, whole syllables are
The voices of good singers
become reedy and cracked, but their
good opinion of their own performances
Increases. The organs of sight, hear
ng, taste and smell exhibit similar de-
indeed, the total or partial
oss of smell is regarded as one of the
most positive indications of general
,aresis in the earlier stages. There is a
twitching of the facial muscles and a
of the hands. The @charac-
eristic paretic gait" then becomes
The walk of a. patient be-
comes less steady and regular, and it is
lifficult for him to stand erect with the
yes closed and the feet close together;
hen, in some cases, it is difficult for
i'm to stand thus even when the eyes
ire open. The feet are thrown wider I
part to increase the base of support, ;
hey are lifted high and come down with !
jerk, the heel striking the ground first j
With flop" The expert dancer or Z
kater loses his pedal accomplishments. !
st. Louis Globe Democrat. /,
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