SUMMARY OF CASE HISTORY
An adult man rendered totally paraplegic following fracture of the tenth dorsal spine and consequent direct injury to the cord. First observation one year and three months after injury. Examination disclosed exaggerated inferior tendon reflexes, accompanied by pathologic pyramidal tract signs, marked defense reactions, preserved muscle tonus and patellar clonus. Total absence of voluntary motion in lower extremities. Involuntary action of sphincters, decubitus ulcers over both hips. Absolute anesthesia below the ninth and tenth dorsal radicular skin distribution. Because of the abnormal motor phenomena a compression of the cord was suspected, and a laminectomy performed by Dr. Emmet Rixford, Feb. 3, 1917. A complete division of the cord tissue proper was found. The ends of both cord fragments were trimmed off and preserved for future examination. An effort to suture the two ends of the spinal cord was made and found impossible. Reexamination Feb. 22, 1917,