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PALSY. Paralysis

Categories: Diseases of The Nervous System

A loss of movement, entire or partial, in the voluntary
muscles of the body. When this loss of power is complete it is called

paralysis; when it is not complete, paresis.



Causes. Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, tumors in these parts,

accidents and injuries, poisons, apoplexy, etc.



Symptoms. The patient cannot make all the usual motions of the part. The

affected muscles may waste after a
ime.



Different Varieties.



(a) Paralysis of the ocular (eye) muscles. The vision becomes double, the

eyelids do not act normally, may droop. The eye may not move in every

direction as it should.



(b) Paralysis of the muscles of mastication (eating). Symptoms. If

paralysis is only on one side, it is difficult to chew; if on both sides,

chewing is impossible. The jaw hangs down.






(c) Paralysis of the facial (face) muscle. This is a rather common

occurrence, and is due to exposure to wet, and cold, diseases of the

middle ear, tumors, etc. Symptoms:--The eyelids do not close tightly, and

tears are continually trickling over the cheek; the corner of the mouth

droops and the saliva runs out, etc. The mild cases last two or three

weeks; the severe form from four to six weeks; the worst cases usually

recover in a long time.



(d) Paralysis of the muscles of the upper extremity. There are various

and many symptoms, but with all there is the same loss of the usual

motion. That particular muscle does not do its special work; for instance,

if the paralysis is of the deltoid muscle of the arm and shoulder, it is

not possible to raise the arm, usually pain in the shoulder. The muscle

soon wastes and the head of the arm bone (humerus) falls away from the

shoulder, etc.



(e) Paralysis of the muscles of the lower extremities. Paralysis of the

"Gluteus Maximus and Minimus." (Hip muscles). Lifting up of the thigh is

difficult and so is walking up hill or rising from sitting position. The

toes are turned out. The other muscles may be paralyzed and simply cannot

do their usual duty.



(f) Toxic (poison) paralysis. Lead paralysis. It is hard to extend the

fingers. The lead line is shown on the gums.



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