Two cases of syphilitic disease of the labyrinth, with remarks / by David Webster.

  • Webster, David, 1842-1923.
Date:
[1883?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Two cases of syphilitic disease of the labyrinth, with remarks / by David Webster. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/10 (page 78)
    For the last three months he has suffered from intermittent fever, with neuralgia. He has severe headaches every night, com¬ ing on at 9 or io o’clock, and continuing all night, keeping him awake for hours at a time. These neuralgic pains have frequently been felt in both his ears, and about three weeks ago he discovered, for the first time, that his left ear was totally deaf. He has since experienced a very annoying ringing in the affected ear, and a very little pain. Hearing power : right, normal ; left, click of nails at three inches. Tuning-fork, on teeth or forehead, heard only in right ear. Pharynx slimy. Auditory canals and membranse tympanorum, normal. Eustachian tubes easily opened by Valsalva’s method. His voice, which to others seems normal, sounds to himself as though he were talking into a barrel. As the history seemed to point to malarial poisoning as the cause of his troubles, it was suggested to the patient that he should put himself upon large doses of quinine. This he objected to, how¬ ever, because the drug had always acted very unpleasantly upon his nervous system. He believed that five grains would set him crazy. He was, therefore, placed upon a mixture containing chi- noidin, arsenic, and strychnia. He was advised to drink half a pint of milk four times daily, not to do any night work, and to rest for an hour or two, regularly, at noon. Jirty ist.—The patient now recollects that about three months ago he had an ulcer on the back of his neck. From six weeks to two months he has had tibial periostitis, and tender spots on each ulna. The neuralgic pains continue. The hearing of the left ear has slightly improved, the click of nails now being heard at three feet. The patient was now placed upon iodide of potassium, in increasing doses, with cod-liver oil. yuly i$th.—No headache ; no neuralgic pains. Has slept well for the last eight or ten nights. Some tibial tenderness remains. The left ear hears the watch in contact, and the voice as in ordi¬ nary conversation, at ten feet. There is less tinnitus aurium. yuly 28th.—Has had ulcers on velum for the last ten days, but they are now nearly well from cauterizing with nitrate of silver. The left ear now hears the watch at a quarter of an inch. Aug. 25th.—Mucous patches and ulcers on tongue, lips, and buccal mucous membrane. The left ear hears the watch at one and a half inches.