The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-05-24
Your Health
Paralysis Agitans
Chronic Disorder
of Aged Persons
BY IN. BVNpERSEN, " H.

va -
BY II. y. BUNpERSEN NJ n.
PARKINSoN'S disease or par
alysit Agitans is a chronic disorder
which occurs in older persons for
the most part. However, it may
occur following encephalitis or in
fammation Of the brain, which in
turn often develops after attacks
OF influenza.
In more than 200 patients stu
died by Doctor Roland NJ. Klemms
Of ST. Louis, injuries accounted for
a few cases Of paralysis agitans.
Hardening Of the arteries Of the
brain was responsible for the
condition in foun of the patients,
while in more than two-thirds the
disorder was produced by encepha-
litis. In about one-ffth'of the pa
tients no cause could be found.
Men had the disorder about twice
as often as women.
Symptoms of Disease
The symptoms Of paralysis agi-
tans consist of an increase in
sweating, a disturbance of the
gait or walking. an increase in the
amount Of saliva, a set appear
ance Of the face and stiffness Of
the muscles. The patients affected
with this condition have a tremor
or twitching Of the hands, shaking
of the head and a shutting gait
The treatment Of paralysis agi-
tans has been carried out by using
various drugs with the hope that
they would relax the muscles and
relieve the twitching and other
symptoms. Such drugs as hyosine
have been used. Belladonna has
also been employed, particularly =
variety known as Bulgarian bella
donna. A part of the vitamin B.
complex known as vitamin BE- or
pyridoXine has been given in large
doses by injection with reported
Improvement In some cases.
Operation Used
Doctor Klemme has used an op-
GRAFTON on his patients suffering
from paralysis agitans, and he
found that in more than three
fourths Of them, improvement re-
suited and restoration Of the ac-
ton of the muscles occurred. A
certain area of the brain known
as the promoter cortex is the site
Of the operation. By cutting this
part Of the brain, he thinks that
nerve impulses may be kept from
passing, down from the brain to
otnel s,.S,ts OF tne s4s.-SS.4StSsssHt.
IN carrying out this operation,
81 course, the promoter corteX
must be carefully marked off and
then cut. 1t is necessary to remove
part Of the skull to reach the brain
area.
In outlining the motor area of
the brain or the area which con-
trolls movement, stimulation with
an electric current is employed,
An electric knife is used to cut the
premotor eortex-
OF course, this operation is one
which must be carried out by q
surgeon experienced in surgery Of
the nervous system. However,
Parkinson's disease is responsible
for such great disability and in
reference with activity that the
operation would appear to be well
worthwhile in those cases selected
by the surgeon as the type which
might respond.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
s. E.:-What causes blood TO
,congeal in the back Of the throat
during the night?
Answer: blood In your
throat may come from many
sources. 1t may come from some
disturbance Of the nose or throat
itself or it may come from the
lungs. A thorough study should be
made by physician to determine
the cause Of the bleeding. Then
proper treatment may be carried