Acute ascending paralysis was first described as a disease entity by Landry,1 in 1859. Further experience, however, has shown that it is in reality a syndrome which may have many causes and may appear under many guises. A diagnosis of acute ascending (Landry's) paralysis, therefore, has come to mean little unless at the same time some statement can be made concerning its cause. It is to stress these features of acute ascending paralysis, as well as to discuss the obscure problem of its pathologic background, that we report 9 cases which we have personally observed.
REPORT OF CASES
In most cases acute ascending paralysis is fatal. The following 5 cases illustrate the fatal type of this syndrome.
Case 1.
—Acute ascending paralysis, preceded by an attack of grip. Flaccid paralysis of all limbs, with loss of reflexes, no fibrillations and no sensory disturbances. Slight pleocytosis of the spinal fluid.