1099 
reflex such as has been described as appearing in healthy subjects. 
I have only found the well-known paradoxical contraction of 
Vig. 5. 
Shortening reflex in a case of arteriosclerotic medullary disease ; clonic 
contractions in triceps (upper curve) and tibialis anticus (middle curve). 
WestFAHL (1880), which is a fonzc contraction of the tibialis anticus 
appearing at dorsal flexion of the foot in some patients. It is of 
rather long duration, Wesrranr observing a contraction of 27 minutes, 
ERLENMEWER Of 45 minutes’ duration. CHarcor has seen the same 
contraction, also after massage of the calves and has taken graphic 
records, one of which, taken from his article in Brain (VIII p. 268) 
I reproduce here (fig. 6). From this curve and the explanatory text, 
also reproduced, we immediately see, that this contraction is not at 
all the same thing as the shortening reflex. 
But there seems to be no doubt, that a relationship exists between 
Fig. 6. 
Same patient (April 12th). Tracing of contraction of the 
tibialis anticus obtained by massage of the muscles of the 
calf. — A, B, C, beginnings of three consecutive experi- 
ments. (In this and the last figure—muech reduced in 
size—the length of XX represents one whole turn of the 
cylinder, viz, thirty minutes.) 
