348 NERVOUS AFFECTION CURED BY PRESSING THE CAROTIDS. 



Ca«- of nervous tions of the flexor muscles of the fore-arm, and of the del- 



afieetion. , 



toid on the left side; not so, however, as to more the arm 



or hand. 



This disorder had continued with little variation to the 

 period of my first visit. The vibrations constantly existed 

 while the arm was in the common posture, the fore-arm 

 and hand leaning on the lap. If the arm were stretched 

 strongly downwards, the vibration of the flexors ceased, 

 but those of the deltoid continued. The arm being strongly 

 extended forwards, all ceased; but returned as soon as the 

 muscles were relaxed. The vibrations were of different de- 

 grees of frequency, and at pretty regular intervals, usually 

 about 80 in a minute. They were increased in fre- 

 quency and force by any thing which agitated or heated 

 the patient, and were always worst; after dinner than after 

 breakfast. The pulse in the radial artery was 80 in a mi- 

 nute, and rather hard. That in the carotids was very full 

 and strong; and each carotid appeared to be unusually di- 

 lated for about half an inch in length, (he adjacent portions 

 above and below being much smaller, and of the natural 

 size. I much regret, that I find in my notes of this case no 

 inquiry, whether there was any coincidence between the 

 systoles of the heart, and the muscular vibrations. The 

 patient's feet were usually cold, and her head and face hot. 

 The feeling in her limbs was much as I have above described, 

 cxeept that the sensibility was somewhat less acute than it had 

 been, and she complained of a tightness all over her head, 

 as if it had been bound with a close night-cap. Her sleep 

 was usually sound on first going to bed, but afterward, for 

 the most part, interrupted by dreaming. Bowels generally 

 costive: appetite moderate: no flatulency or indigestion: 

 tongue slightly furred, without thirst : urine variable, but 

 generally pale. 



The late Mr. George Crook, surgeon, was present while 

 I made these examinations; and when we afterward con- 

 versed together, I remarked to him, that if my theory of the 

 usual cause of spasmodic or nervous affections were well 

 founded, I should probably be able to suppress or restrain 

 these muscular vibrations of the left arm, by compressing 

 the carotid artery on the opposite or right side; while little 



effect 



