The muscles affected
are usually in the trunk and in the limbs, and not in the toes
and hand; occasionally the movements are tonic as well as clonic;
the degree of spasm varies greatly, and according to Gray may
sometimes be so violent as to throw the patient down or out of
the chair.
Saltatoric spasm is an extremely rare condition, first observed
by Bamberger in 1859. The calf, hip, knee, and back-muscles are
affected by clonic spasm, causing springing or jumping movements
when the patient attempts to stand. The disease is transient, and
there are no mental symptoms.
Progressive muscular atrophy has been observed as far back as
Hippocrates, but it is only in recent times that we have had any
definite knowledge of the subject. It is divided into four types,
the hand type (causing the griffin-or claw-hand, or the
ape-hand); the juvenile type (generally in the muscles of the
shoulder and arm); the facial type; and the peroneal type.
Generalized progressive atrophy leads to a condition that
simulates the appearance of a "living skeleton."
Facial hemiatrophy is an incurable disease, as yet of unknown
pathology. It consists of wasting of the bones, subcutaneous
tissues, and muscles of one-half of the face or head, the muscles
suffering but slightly.
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