An Essay on the Shaking Palsy E-Book

James Parkinson

• Herausgeber: Science & Technology Publishing
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 62

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

An Essay on the Shaking Palsy is a seminal medical treatise written by James Parkinson and first published in 1817. This groundbreaking work is widely recognized as the first systematic description of the neurological disorder now known as Parkinson’s disease. In this detailed and methodical essay, Parkinson meticulously documents the symptoms, progression, and possible causes of the condition he termed the shaking palsy. Drawing from his own clinical observations and case studies, he describes the characteristic tremors, muscular rigidity, and postural instability that define the disorder, as well as the gradual deterioration of motor function experienced by patients. Parkinson’s essay is notable for its clarity, compassion, and scientific rigor. He carefully distinguishes the shaking palsy from other similar ailments, providing a clear clinical picture that would guide future generations of physicians. The book also explores potential etiologies, including environmental and hereditary factors, and discusses the challenges of diagnosis and treatment in the early nineteenth century. Although limited by the medical knowledge of his time, Parkinson’s insights laid the foundation for modern neurology and the study of movement disorders. An Essay on the Shaking Palsy remains a landmark in medical literature, not only for its historical significance but also for its enduring relevance. It offers readers a fascinating glimpse into the early days of clinical neurology and the compassionate approach of a pioneering physician. The essay continues to be studied by medical professionals, historians, and anyone interested in the origins of our understanding of Parkinson’s disease.

Leseprobe

ANESSAYON THESHAKING PALSY.

BY

JAMES PARKINSON,MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.

LONDON:PRINTED BY WHITTINGHAM AND ROWLAND,Goswell Street,FOR SHERWOOD, NEELY, AND JONES,PATERNOSTER ROW. 1817.

PREFACE.

The advantages which have been derived from the caution with which hypothetical statements are admitted, are in no instance more obvious than in those sciences which more particularly belong to the healing art. It therefore is necessary, that some conciliatory explanation should be offered for the present publication: in which, it is acknowledged, that mere conjecture takes the place of experiment; and, that analogy is the substitute for anatomical examination, the only sure foundation for pathological knowledge.

When, however, the nature of the subject, and the circumstances under which it has been here taken up, are considered, it is hoped that the offering of the following pages to the attention of the medical public, will not be severely censured. The disease, respecting which the present inquiry is made, is of a nature highly afflictive. Notwithstanding which, it has not yet obtained a place in the classification of nosologists; some have regarded its characteristic symptoms as distinct and different diseases, and others have given its name to diseases differing essentially from it; whilst the unhappy sufferer has considered it as an evil, from the domination of which he had no prospect of escape.

The disease is of long duration: to connect, therefore, the symptoms which occur in its later stages with those which mark its commencement, requires a continuance of observation of the same case, or at least a correct history of its symptoms, even for several years. Of both these advantages the writer has had the opportunities of availing himself; and has hence been led particularly to observe several other cases in which the disease existed in different stages of its progress. By these repeated observations, he hoped that he had been led to a probable conjecture as to the nature of the malady, and that analogy had suggested such means as might be productive of relief, and perhaps even of cure, if employed before the disease had been too long established. He therefore considered it to be a duty to submit his opinions to the examination of others, even in their present state of immaturity and imperfection.

To delay their publication did not, indeed, appear to be warrantable. The disease had escaped particular notice; and the task of ascertaining its nature and cause by anatomical investigation, did not seem likely to be taken up by those who, from their abilities and opportunities, were most likely to accomplish it. That these friends to humanity and medical science, who have already unveiled to us many of the morbid processes by which health and life is abridged, might be excited to extend their researches to this malady, was much desired; and it was hoped, that this might be procured by the publication of these remarks.

Should the necessary information be thus obtained, the writer will repine at no censure which the precipitate publication of mere conjectural suggestions may incur; but shall think himself fully rewarded by having excited the attention of those, who may point out the most appropriate means of relieving a tedious and most distressing malady.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Chap.

I.

Definition—history—illustrative cases

1

Chap.

II.

Pathognomonic symptoms examined—tremor coactus—scelotyrbe festinans

19

Chap.

III.

Shaking palsy distinguished from other diseases with which it may be confounded

27

Chap.

IV.

Proximate cause—remote causes—illustrative cases

33

Chap.

V.

Considerations respecting the means of cure

56

ANESSAYON THESHAKING PALSY.

CHAPTER I.

DEFINITION—HISTORY—ILLUSTRATIVE CASES.

SHAKING PALSY. (Paralysis Agitans.)

Involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported; with a propensity to bend the trunk forwards, and to pass from a walking to a running pace: the senses and intellects being uninjured.

The term Shaking Palsy has been vaguely employed by medical writers in general. By some it has been used to designate ordinary cases of Palsy, in which some slight tremblings have occurred; whilst by others it has been applied to certain anomalous affections, not belonging to Palsy.

The shaking of the limbs belonging to this disease was particularly noticed, as will be seen when treating of the symptoms, by Galen, who marked its peculiar character by an appropriate term. The same symptom, it will also be seen, was accurately treated of by Sylvius de la Boë. Juncker also seems to have referred to this symptom: having divided tremor into active and passive, he says of the latter, “ad affectus semiparalyticos pertinent; de qualibus hic agimus, quique tremores paralytoidei vocantur.” Tremor has been adopted, as a genus, by almost every nosologist; but always unmarked, in their several definitions, by such characters as would embrace this disease. The celebrated Cullen, with his accustomed accuracy observes, “Tremorem, utpote semper symptomaticum, in numerum generum recipere nollem; species autem a Sauvagesio recensitas, prout mihi vel astheniæ vel paralysios, vel convulsionis symptomata esse videntur, his subjungam[1].” Tremor can indeed only be considered as a symptom, although several species of it must be admitted. In the present instance, the agitation produced by the peculiar species of tremor, which here occurs, is chosen to furnish the epithet by which this species of Palsy, may be distinguished.

HISTORY.

So slight and nearly imperceptible are the first inroads of this malady, and so extremely slow is its progress, that it rarely happens, that the patient can form any recollection of the precise period of its commencement. The first symptoms perceived are, a slight sense of weakness, with a proneness to trembling in some particular part; sometimes in the head, but most commonly in one of the hands and arms. These symptoms gradually increase in the part first affected; and at an uncertain period, but seldom in less than twelvemonths or more, the morbid influence is felt in some other part. Thus assuming one of the hands and arms to be first attacked, the other, at this period becomes similarly affected. After a few more months the patient is found to be less strict than usual in preserving an upright posture: this being most observable whilst walking, but sometimes whilst sitting or standing. Sometime after the appearance of this symptom, and during its slow increase, one of the legs is discovered slightly to tremble, and is also found to suffer fatigue sooner than the leg of the other side: and in a few months this limb becomes agitated by similar tremblings, and suffers a similar loss of power.

Hitherto the patient will have experienced but little inconvenience; and befriended by the strong influence of habitual endurance, would perhaps seldom think of his being the subject of disease, except when reminded of it by the unsteadiness of his hand, whilst writing or employing himself in any nicer kind of manipulation. But as the disease proceeds, similar employments are accomplished with considerable difficulty, the hand failing to answer with exactness to the dictates of the will. Walking becomes a task which cannot be performed without considerable attention. The legs are not raised to that height, or with that promptitude which the will directs, so that the utmost care is necessary to prevent frequent falls.