THE MORBID ANATOMY OF A CASE OF 
LEAD PARALYSIS 
CONDITION OF THE NERVES, MUSCLES, MUSCLE SPINDLES, AND 
SPINAL CORD 
By E. E. LASLETT, M.B., B.Sc, House Physician to the Royal Infirmary Liverpool 
AND 
W. B. WARRINGTON, M.D., M.R.C.P., Demonstrator in Pathology, University College 
Liverpool, and Assistant Physician to the Hospital for Chest Diseases 
We are indebted to Dr. Caton for permission to record the following case which presents 
some features of interest especially in the condition of the spinal cord. 
Clinical History 
F. K., aged 28, house painter. Admitted to the Liverpool Royal Infirmary, January 14th, 
1898. He had been engaged in his occupation since his twelfth year, and two years ago suffered 
from colic. Eighteen months ago he noticed weakness and wasting of the hands, which attracted 
his attention before the wrist drop, the prominent feature on admission. 
Condition on Admission. — Patient a rather emaciated man with an anasmic, sallow 
complexion, and puffy eyelids. The body was covered with numerous small purpuric spots. 
There was a characteristic blue line on the margin of the gums. The heart showed evidence of 
dilatation and hypertrophy. Urine sp. gr. 1012, with some albumen and granular casts. 
-■ - . ' ' Nervous System 
Upper Extremities. — These showed marked general muscular wasting, and dropping of the 
wrists was present on both sides to an equal extent. 
The interossei and intrinsic muscles of the thumb were distinctly atrophied. 
Wasting, accompanied with complete loss of power, existed in the extensors of the wrist 
and fingers and thumb. 
There was no marked wasting in the flexor muscles of the wrist and fingers. 
In the upper arm the triceps and supinator longus were markedly wasted, the biceps 
somewhat but to a much less extent. 
The deltoid and pectoral muscles were also greatly wasted, while the trapezii and spinati 
muscles were practically normal. 
Lower Extremities. — The vasti interni and peronei muscles were wasted, but no other 
muscles were especially affected, although much general weakness was present. 
Electrical Irritcibility. — The extensor muscles of the wrist and fingers did not respond to 
