INFANTILE AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS OF THE FAMILY TYPE

Abstract

T the April meeting of the New York Neurological Society, I presented a case for discussion as to its diagnosis and classification.It seemed to call out opinions more or less at variance.I have been persuaded to present the case more at length before this Association.I do so, in the hope that my study of the case and the added opinions of the members may aid in the better understanding and differentiation of a class of trophic disease in children.I believe that my case opens up a new type of cases for study and that it is a sign post not to be overlooked.Infantile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis of the family type heretofore has not been recognized, as far as I have been able to ascertain.History-Boy, A. K., aged fifteen, of German parents, fifty-eight inches in height and weighs clothed seventyone pounds.Family history reveals nothing of importance; the early history is meagre, on account of the stupidity and ignorance of the parents, and to the fact of the inability of the boy to hear well, and to articulate distinctly and also to the fact that, the child was raised in a charitable institution Which refuses to send me information in relation to him.About three years ago the very first symptoms were noted by the boy, which were the inability to whistle or to talk plainly.The onset was rather rapid and grew