Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-08-20
A DISEASE OF CIVILIZATION.
Types of Paretio Deme ntia-Developmen t
of northumberland

Paretic dementia differs from ordinary
forms of insanity in that it is col antly
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 afilict 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
wofully 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: 1.
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 well-marked preliminary or incu-
batory period Physically, the subjects
of paretic dementia are generally in good
condition; there is little or no wear and
tear of the body through mental influ-
ence; they sleep well and they usually
get fat.
The development of the symptoms is
very insidious, and usually covers
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 atfec-
ton are chiefly pains in the lower ex-
tremities, double sciatica, color blind
ness. belt-like 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 a sudden
chang of character The modest man
becomes boastful, the rich man prodigal
the careful man reckless, the honorable
man thief, and the moral man a 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 irritablity
about tIiles 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
short time afterward of catastrophe
involving loss to him of over $1,000
In this stage men are generous, Jolly
good fellows" with boon companions,
but cruel, tyrannical unjust and parsi-
monious 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, but
rarely perform the act of self-destruction.
While memory, will, moral and emo
tiOnal balance are thus lettering, 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
tervention Of the police to violent phys
ical conflict, and the patient lands in an
asylum.
, Among the first physical symptoms is
2 a trembling of the lips and a difficulty III
moving the tongue while speaking. The
l patient finds il difficult TO utter eXplO-
sive or Missing sounds, and the longer
2 the word the greater the difficulty en-
counterad. The labials and dentaIs-
= =. b. VI. T. D.--arp the severest tests.
l Such words as truly rural" and "Pere-
CRIME Pickle" are almost unrecognlzable
} to the ear Later, whole syllabies art
- suppressed The voices of good singers
l become reely and cracked, but their
good opinion Of their own performances
| increases. The organs OF sight, hear
p ing, taste and smell exhibit similar de-
terloratun; indeed. the total or partial
l loss of smell Is regarded as one of the
) most positive Indications of general
paresis in the earlier stages. There is a
= twitChing OF the facial muscles and a
5 trembling Of the hands The -charac-
teristic paretic gait" then becomes
l manifest The walk of a patient be-
g comes less steady and regular, and it is
= difficult for him To- stand erect with the
eyes closed and the feet close together
then, in some cases, it is difficult for
him to stand thus even when the eyes
are open. The feet are thrown wider
apart to increase the base of support
they are lifted high and come down witt
jerk the heel striking the ground first
with flop" The expert dancer Oh
; skater loses his pedal accomplishments.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.