. Diseases of the nervous system . ond motorneuron; wherefore, if the neuron theory be otherwise correct, it must alsoinclude a degeneration of the motor cells of the cerebral cortex belongingthereto, a process which has as yet been too little studied. So far no conclusive case has been anatomically investigated—the caseStriimpell reported also showed disease of the posterior column; instead ofthe looked-for changes, the necropsy revealed very different conditions (multi-ple sclerosis, combined system diseases, tumors, meningitis). It still remainsa mooted question whether there really is an i
. Diseases of the nervous system . ond motorneuron; wherefore, if the neuron theory be otherwise correct, it must alsoinclude a degeneration of the motor cells of the cerebral cortex belongingthereto, a process which has as yet been too little studied. So far no conclusive case has been anatomically investigated—the caseStriimpell reported also showed disease of the posterior column; instead ofthe looked-for changes, the necropsy revealed very different conditions (multi-ple sclerosis, combined system diseases, tumors, meningitis). It still remainsa mooted question whether there really is an isolated affection of the entiresecond motor tract. But we recognize distinctly a not very rare disease which was first graph-ically described by Charcot; its anatomical course conclusively proves theexistence of disease of the neurons. Charcot gave to this the anatomico-clinicaldesignation of amyotrophic (myatrophic) lateral sclerosis. Senator has de-nominated it by a purely clinical term, atrophic spastic bulbospinal NEURON SYSTEMS AND NEURON DISEASES 73 Histologically, the affection in its full development reveals the followingconditions (Fig. 66) : (1) Primary degeneration of the first motor neuron similar to that ofprogressive muscular atrophy and chronic bulbar paralysis. (2) The same primary degeneration of the pyramidal tracts which waspostulated by Charcot for spastic spinal paralysis, but which has not yet beenproven. The implication of the motor cerebral cortex, that is, of the cells in whichthe motor tract originate, has not jet been certainly demonstrated and requiresconfirmation; it is questionable in how far disease ofthese greatly disseminated cells may be histologicallydetermined by our ordinary methods. At all events,it is not too far fetched a hypothesis to regard thesecells as implicated in the process. Thus we have apicture which most clearly portrays the symptoms ofdisease of both motor neurons. In enumerating the diseases of the first motorne
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectnervoussystem, bookye
