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February 1927

IRRESISTIBLE MASTICATION DURING EPIDEMIC ENCEPHALITIS

Author Affiliations

St. Louis

From the Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, and the St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Arch NeurPsych. 1927;17(2):239-244. doi:10.1001/archneurpsyc.1927.02200320091007
Abstract

I have been unable to find in the literature on epidemic encephalitis any report of cases in which there occurred violent and irresistible masticatory movements of sufficient extent to result in severe self-injury. The case here reported seems to be unique and is of exceptional interest because it throws light on the problem of the existence and location of a subcortical center for mastication.

REPORT OF CASE 

Clinical History.  —G. C., a boy, aged 13, was admitted to the St. Louis Children's Hospital, Dec. 26, 1924, with a history of slight fever and increased drowsiness for the preceding ten days.

Physical Examination.  —At the time of admission the temperature was 38 C. (100.4 F.). The patient was deeply lethargic and could be aroused only with difficulty. Questions were answered fairly rationally, but in a slow, dragging fashion. There was a general tendency to muscular rigidity and catatonia, and the face

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