T, 



hat arsenic can produce paralysis was already known in the 14"' 

 century^). Since then many similar cases have been observed; and at 

 present there are more than 150 cases ^) of arsenical paralysis mentioned 

 or described in literature. 



In comparison with the number of cases of arsenical intoxication, 

 those of paralysis are relatively few. The cases of paralysis as a rule re- 

 turn to health; and in consequence of this the anatomical changes of 

 arsenical paralysis have been almost unknown until quite recently. Diffe- 

 rent inquirers it is true, such as Popow"), Alexander^) and Kreyssig*) 

 have tried to solve the question by means of experiments, but their re- 

 sults have not been consistent with one another and are vitiated by 

 the fact that experiments on animals cannot always be regarded as appli- 

 •cable to man. The first known instance of post mortem section of a 

 •case of arsenical paralysis is really that now published, the post mortem 

 examination was made as early as Jtily 1883 and the results of the 

 histological investigation were communicated to the Medical Association, 

 Upsala 1891 by Mr Albin Hildebrand (student of medicine), who, in my 

 Laboratorium made the microscopical preparations of the spinal cord 

 and peripheral nerves. 



Want of time has however prevented my publishing this case 

 until now. 



In the meantime two cases with postmortems have been published, 

 one in Canada medical and Surgical Journal 1886, p. 716- (Ross and 

 Bury, On periph. neuritis London 1893) and the second in »Archiv für 

 Psychiatrie» Bd 23 1892 by Erlicki and Rybalkin, Petersburgh. 



1) Dana, Brain 1887, p. 464. 3) Inaug. Diss. Breslau 1889. 



2) Virchow's Archiv Bd. 93. 4) Virchow's Archiv Bd. 102. 

 Nova Acta Keg. Soc. Sc. ups. Ser. IIL ~ 1 



