The diagnosis of some form of organic brain disease was clear with the picture of convulsions followed by slight aphasia with headaches and limb pains. With onset at 28, the most frequent cause for such epileptiform seizures is certainly syphilis. Examination of the blood and spinal fluid showed a positive W. R., in both. The albumin was also somewhat increased. The clinical picture suggested a fairly generalized meningitic involvement.
The prognosis in such cases of generalized meningitic involvement is in general good, and this principle was illustrated in the O’Neil case, in which the symptoms soon disappeared under intensive antisyphilitic treatment. In fact the spinal fluid W. R. became negative in the course of four weeks. The blood serum W. R., however, has remained positive despite eight months of active treatment.
CONDITIONS IN WHICH CONVULSIONS OCCUR
NEUROSYPHILIS
HYSTERIA
EPILEPSY MAJOR (Grand Mal)
EPILEPSY MINOR (Petit Mal)
DEMENTIA PRAECOX
TOXIC CONDITIONS:
Asphyxia, Uremia, Alcohol, Absinthe, Lead, Mercury, etc.