A Case of Circumscribed Unilateral, and Elective Sensory Paralysis

BY elective sensory paralysis is to be understood one in which certain only of the functions of the sensory nerves are abolished. The observations which are to be briefly reported here have been made upon my own left arm, and in large part by myself. The an-amnesis is as follows : I am at present twenty-eight years old, and, as far as I remember, aside from the ordinary diseases from which children suffer, I have always been tolerably healthy. For the past nine or ten years I have noticed at times along the inner (medial) side of the left arm radiating pains, which are prone to appear on standing for a long time or after a long walk, especially when I am overtired or a little run down in health. For about the same length of time, sensations of numbness and formication have made themselves noticeable. These have been referred to the same area, and have affected also, in a slight degree, the little finger and the ulnar side of the ring finger of the left hand. The pains, which, as a rule, are not very severe, can be quickly stopped, or essentially relieved, by lying down or by elevating the left shoulder. Beyond these symptoms I have nothing to complain of, and during the past two or three years unpleasant sensations of any kind have rarely existed. The motility of the left arm is in no way diminished or interfered with. This arm is slightly weaker than tile right, which is easily to be explained by the fact that it has been used less. Alterations in the muscles or the skirl have never been perceptible. The secretion of sweat is normal, and goose