Unable to raise his elbow to the level of his head, or indeed, to that of his shoulder. Muscular twitches above the left elbow (after one hour and a quarter). Some diminution of sensibility on the right upper arm. Loss of sensibility in all the tissues on the external and anterior surface of the left deltoid region. Pricking with pins and needles, electro-puncture, friction in every direction, forced and violent contraction of the deltoid muscle, elicited no sign of sensation. Feeling of weight in the elbows, and still more in the wrists. A very annoying sensation of weight in the elbows, wrists, and fingers. Joints of elbow, wrist, and fingers slightly flexed. Twisting pains in the bends of the elbows, and the palmar surfaces of the forearms, worse by paroxysms; ameliorated by pressure. Lancinating pains from the elbow to the finger-ends, without swelling, and without apparent paralysis of any muscle. Pains confined to right elbow and wrist-joints, and to muscles of right arm. Pains in the joints and muscles of the elbow, wrist, the fingers and their tendinous sheaths, knees, popliteal spaces, and insteps; spontaneous or excited by movement and pressure. Sense of weight in elbows and wrists, and especially in the fingers; it is felt more in the left limb. Forearm. The forearms and hands, especially the left, tremble considerably. Extensors of the forearm completely paralyzed. Paralysis of the extensors of the forearm, Complete paralysis and atrophy of the extensors of the forearm, etc. On applying Gaiffe’s electrical machine, the extensor muscles were found to contract with difficulty, as also the deltoid and pectoralis major; the flexors also contracted with difficulty, as also the outer layer of the muscles of the forearm, and the posterior rhomboid, trapezius, and longissimus dorsi. Complete debility of the forearm, affecting particularly the extensor muscles. On waking suddenly, at 3 A.M., he found he had lost the use of his right forearm and hand; the palsy was not restricted to the extensors of the forearm, but also affected the flexors to a considerable extent. Great loss of power over the extensors of both forearms, especially the right; the affected muscles were greatly withered; the paralysis gradually stealing upon him during attack of colic. Loss of power in the right forearm and wrist. The extensor muscles are especially enfeebled, and he has wrist-drop on the right side. The left arm and wrist and are also paralyzed, but less so than on the right side. Dropping of supinators soon after his first lead colic. Left forearm semi flexed upon the arm; it can be almost completely flexed at will, but its extension is impossible. Pronation and supination of the forearm and hand are easily performed; in the latter position, the flexors of the wrist and fingers cease to act, so that the parts become extended by their own weight. The forearm, is capable of supination and pronation, abduction of the wrist and fingers are only possible by flexing them. The forearm is kept pronated; supination is impossible. When at rest, the forearm is strongly pronated, it cannot be supinated; it is semi flexed, and incapable of extension. The superior portion of the outside of the forearm (edge of the radius) is no longer on the same plane with the inferior portion, which is twisted inwardly. The arm and hand held edgewise, i. e., in a position midway between pronation and supination. Both forearms fixed in pronation, with much effort they can be brought to a position half way between pronation and supination; the hand does not take part in this movement. Electro-muscular contractility of the forearms greatly diminished. Posterior surface of right forearm visibly atrophied; a bony projection is observed at the carpometacarpal region; the skin of these parts is dried up and flabby. Muscles of the forearms and the thumbs are much wasted being greater in the right arm and hand than in the left. The inferior portion of the forearm is emaciated; the hypothenar eminences especially are diminished in size; upon the whole, the right arm is more affected than the left. Muscles of the right arm wasted, also those of the left, but in a less degree; also both deltoid muscles. The muscles of the forearms, especially the extensors, were flabby, weak, and tremulous. During the three years the muscles of the forearm became atrophied. The posterior surface of the forearm is strikingly emaciated and flabby, while the anterior surface is more nearly of its natural size. The forearms are extremely wasted; they retain their normal sensibility, but, at intervals, are affected by pretty strong cramps. The posterior surface of the left forearm is as much atrophied as that of the right; the left thenar region has also fallen away; its muscles have apparently vanished. The forearm, wrist, and hand on the right side were found to measure in every part of their circumference some four or five lines less than on the left. Numerous pearl-like dilatations at the points of union of the veins of the forearm and hands, especially on compressing the venous trunks, and after working. Veins of the upper arm very large and knotted, varicose at the points of union, but the veins on the extensor surface of the forearm were scarcely visible even after compressure of the venous trunk. Arteries of the forearms extremely rigid and tortuous. The cutaneous veins of both forearms could not be seen, though after long working, on compressing the venous trunks, the cephalic could be seen on the left side, and on the right side a few dilated spots at the points of union of the veins. During the worst paroxysms, the palmar surface of his forearm becomes hard and tense, and it is affected by cramps, which are renewed on movement. Sensation of exhaustion in the forearms (fifth day). Weakness of the forearm.
Bluntness of sensibility in the extensor surface of the forearm and fingers; the patient, however, is able to localize sensation; sensation benumbed; the test of electro-muscular contractility with the induced current shows in both arms moderate reaction in the extensors of the thumb, scarcely noticed in the extensors of the fingers; there is, however, good reaction along the course of the median and ulnar nerves; there is no reaction in the extensors digitorum communes; it is noticeable, however, that while the patient is able to extend both hands, there is no trace of action in the extensors of the wrist. Some anaesthesia on the back of the forearm. Analgesia and anaesthesia, especially of the forearms. On both forearms, 68 millimeters of separation between the points of the aesthesiometer. Hypalgesia of the upper two-thirds of the palmar surface of the left forearm; not so well marked in the rest of the left limb. Skin of the forearm partially insensible.
Almost complete anaesthesia of both forearms, especially of the extensor surface. No sensation when picked or burned in the hands of forearms; only a partial sensation in the lower half of the arms. Burning does not cause even a feeling of warmth, and no pain was experienced, even when the anterior surface of the forearm was burned so as to raise a blister; yet there are severe pains in this region. Neither tickling nor changes of temperature are felt in the hands or forearms. Slight anaesthesia of the forearms; less in the fingers; it is much more decided in the lower extremities. Boring pains all over the palmar surface of the forearm, in the bend of the elbow, and in the axilla; the upper arm is not painful; ameliorated by gentle pressure, but somewhat aggravated by firm pressure; constant, but returning in very hard paroxysms, during which he squeezed his forearms with his hands; entreats to be, tied round with ropes, his handkerchief, etc. Excruciating pains in the forearms, with paralysis of the extensors. Pain, especially in the left forearm, elbow-joint, and arm. Seized suddenly, in the daytime, with pains in both forearms; these pains took a course which seems to have corresponded with that of the radial nerve. They were so severe as to prevent sleep. At the same time, she felt a great deal of pain when stretching out the hand, though able to perform the movement. Only the ring finger of the left, and the ring and little fingers of the right hand, could not be extended. In both elbow-joints there was a sort of uneasiness, like a feeling of fatigue. This was also felt in the leg behind the ankle-joint. Wrist. The wrists and hands shake and tremble very easily under the influence of any emotion. A small bony elevation, formed by the projecting heads of the second and third metacarpal bones on the back of the wrist. Wrist much swollen, while extensors of hand are completely paralyzed; supinators intact. Wrists entirely dropped, from complete paralysis, being perfectly helpless and unable to straighten either hand, unless by the aid of the opposite arm, and requiring all the care of an infant, in being fed, washed, etc., yet a comparatively good grip with his hands.
Born in 1837in Westminster, Vermont. . He was an orthodox doctor who converted to homeopathy
Dr. Allen compiled the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica over the course of 10 years.
In 1881 Allen published A Critical Revision of the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica.