ATHETOSIS. 127 



In two cases herpes zoster occurred while under 

 observation. 



Athetosis is a condition of brain disease charac- 

 terized during the life of the patient by movements, 

 more or less constant, in the muscles of the extremi- 

 ties. Athetosis usually affects one side of the body 

 only, but may affect both sides. The movements 

 are much slower than those of chorea, and are not 

 usually a series of gesticulations, but differ in their 

 combinations from the movements performed in 

 health. The plate gives the common postures seen 

 in their different cases ; they are postures that would 

 not be assumed under the guidance of a normal 

 brain influenced by emotions. 



To give some idea of the expression of this con- 

 dition of brain disease, I quote the account of the 

 movements seen in three cases which I published.* 



CASE I. Athetosis with Epilepsy. 



The girl was of fair stature, rather pale and thin, 

 and of weak intellectual power. She could walk, 

 assist her mother in the house, and answer ques- 

 tions, but was very dull and apathetic. 



When seen the following description was taken : 

 The left upper extremity is almost useless for most 

 voluntary purposes on account of the condition of 

 the hand. If told to put her hand to her mouth, 

 or to the back of her head, the hand gets there, 

 being moved slowly and awkwardly by the action 

 .of the muscles moving the shoulder and elbow, but* 

 though flexion and extension of the elbow be. suffi- 

 * " Brain," part xiii. 



