The pathologic lesions in the central nervous system associated with chronic alcoholism may be divided into two groups; (a) pellagroid and neuritic changes, described by Meyer1 as central neuritis, and (b) the lesions described by Wernicke2 as polioencephalitis haemorrhagica superior and inferior. Wernicke's disease was further studied by Gamper3 and Tsiminakis4 with respect to the predominance of the lesions in the mamillary bodies and their surroundings. The mineral content of these lesions has recently been investigated by Alexander and Myerson,5 and the vascular pattern, by Campbell, Alexander and Putnam,6 who observed varicose deformities, stasis and perivascular hemorrhages in the affected areas. One of us (L. A.)7 had the opportunity to observe a patient with Wernicke's disease following chronic alcoholism who had clinical and pathologic evidence of scurvy, characterized by subperiosteal, intramuscular, subcutaneous and perifollicular hemorrhages.
It is generally conceded that patients with chronic