A system of practical medicine. By American authors. Vol. 5 : $b Diseases of the nervous system

This volume offers a thorough survey of nervous‑system disorders as understood by leading American physicians of the late nineteenth century. It begins with the fundamentals of symptom assessment and lesion localization, then moves through a wide spectrum of conditions—from mental illnesses, hysteria, and catalepsy to headaches, vertigo, and various tremor disorders. Readers will find practical guidance on diagnosing and managing acute afflictions such as heat‑induced neuropathies, tetanus, and the neural effects of alcoholism or opium use, alongside detailed discussions of chronic problems like progressive facial atrophy and spinal‑cord inflammation.

The book also addresses specialized topics such as speech disturbances, writer’s cramp, and the neurological impact of lead poisoning, providing clear case examples and treatment recommendations. Chapters on meningitis, hydrocephalus, and cerebral hemorrhage explore both early signs and therapeutic approaches used at the time. Compiled by nearly a hundred contributors, the work remains a valuable historical reference for clinicians interested in the evolution of neurological practice.