Dr. Macbride has given a very interesting and illustrative case of this disease.
“Hieranasos, or Morbus Sacer, so called, as being vulgarly supposed to arise from witchcraft, or some extraordinary celestial influence, is a distinct genus of disease, though a very uncommon one; the author once had an opportunity of seeing a case. The patient was a lad about seventeen, who at that time had laboured under this extraordinary disease for more than twelve years. His body was so distorted, and the legs and arms so twisted round it, by the continued convulsive working, that no words can give an adequate idea of the oddity of his figure; the agitation of the muscles was perpetual; but in general he did not complain of pain nor sickness; and had his senses perfectly, insomuch that he used to assist his mother, who kept a little school, in teaching children to read.” A methodical Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Physic. By David Macbride, M.D. p. 559.
[11] Medical Observations and Inquiries, Vol. III. p. 257.
[12] A coagulum of blood, the thickness of a crown-piece, was found lying upon the external surface of the dura-matral covering of the medulla spinalis, extending from the fourth vertebra colli to the second vertebra dorsi. The medulla spinalis itself was uninjured.
[13] The sixth and seventh vertebra colli were dislocated, the medulla spinalis, externally, was uninjured; but in the centre of its substance, just at that part, there was a coagulum of blood nearly two inches in length.
[14] The seventh vertebra colli was fractured, and the medulla spinalis passing through it, was lacerated and compressed.
[15] The spinal marrow, within the canal of the sixth vertebra dorsi, was completely destroyed by a musket ball. The person lived four days.
[16] Cork, which has been hitherto neglected, appears to be very appropriate to this purpose. It possesses lightness, softness, elasticity and sufficient firmness; and is also capable of being readily fashioned to any convenient form. The form which it seems would be best adapted to the part, is that of an almond, or of the variety of bean called scarlet bean; but at least an inch and a half in length.