A Case of Diplegia
Authors: J. Cuming
Journal: BMJ (1879)

pended in the fluid.It contained mucous cells and a very few fat- globules.A number of large flat epithelial cells were seen, and these were studded with fatty points.February 25th.She stated that she passed some milky urine this morning; but, through carelessness, I was not furnished with any of it for examination.February 26th.She had a fit in the mill this morning, and had to be taken home.She again complained of great pain in the head, chiefly the frontal region.She had been sick once or twice.The urine passed this afternoon, three or four hours after the fit, was of very pale colour, of specific gravity IoI I; no albumen.Under the microscope, it was seen to contain large rounded epithelial cells studded with fatty points.A few small fat-globules were also seen floating about.Croton- chloral-hydrate was ordered.March Ist.I had seen nothing of this woman for the last two days.She was very well to-day.She stated that the medicine relieved her headache.Ophthalmoscopic examination gave negative results.The urine passed this morning looked thick and turbid; it was acid, and had a specific gravity of 1028.Addition of ether did not altogether remove this turbidity.The urine to-day was found to contain albumen, 4 per cent.Under the microscope, myriads of fat-globules of various sizes were seen.A few squamous epithelial cells were seen, and these were studded with fatty points.Two or three octohedral oxalates were present.March 3rd.She felt pretty well to-day.She had had slight vertigo and headache, and slight inclination to vomit.The urine was of specific gravity ioi6, clear; no albumen.March 8th.She was not so well to-day.She had had two fits, and complained very much of headache and dimness of vision.The bowels were constipated.The urine was of specific gravity ioI6; no albumen.It contained a few mucous cells, octohedral oxalates, and fat-globules.The compound jalap powder and liquor ferri perchloridi were re- peated.March ith.This morning I examined the specimen of urine which was sent to me on the Ist of March.There was a thick milky-looking scum on its surface, which, under the microscope, was seen to be com- posed of myriads of oil-globules, and there were also seen the ova of the fungus mucor miucedo.The ova were elongated, and had not the glistening look of the oil-globules.March 13th.The urine was of specific gravity I030, acid, of a light yellow colour, with a fawn-coloured deposit of urates.A few oil- globules were present.March 25th.She had, since March 13th, been pretty well until to- day, when she had another fit in the mill.She looked very pale.The bowels were constipated.The urine was of specific gravity 1032; it was not examined microscopically.July i6th.I had seen nothing of this patient for the last two months.CASE II.-September 2ISt, I877.Mrs. D., aged 37, draper, had been subject to epilepsy for the last ten or eleven years.At the age of seven- teen, she had one or two attacks ofpetit mal.Her husband lived apart from her, and his intemperate habits had caused her much anxiety.Her youngest child was nearly a year old.When she was carrying him, her feet swelled very much; at, present, only the right foot was swollen.