TRIHEXYPHENIDYL

Abstract

This paper relates the experience of my colleagues and myself using the new antispasmodic compound trihexyphenidyl (artane,® 3-[1-piperidy1]-1-pheny1-1-cyclohexy1-1-propano1 hydrochloride 1 ) in the treatment of parkinsonism and several of the related disorders of movement. trial of a new treatment of an old disease calls to mind a recent statement of A. C. Ivy, 2 who commented, The physician practices medicine today, and because the response of different patients to the same therapy will always vary to some extent, the physician will always practice medicine on his patient. No physician can honestly guarantee that he will cure a disease or that his treatment will not cause undesirable symptoms or temporary discomfort. Faced with the present lack of knowledge regarding the specific cause of parkinsonism, spasmodic torticollis, blepharospasm and other of the disabling disorders of movement, what should be the physician's therapeutic goal? In the belief that each of the diseases forming