Tabes

(ta'-bez). Formerly used as a synonym of wasting, shrinking, or consumption. Now used as a synonym of Tabes dorsal is or Locomotor Ataxy, a disease dependent upon degeneration and sclerosis of the posterior columns of the spinal cord. Its most pronounced symptom, incoordination of the muscles of locomotion, has served to establish the term Locomotor Alaxy as the common designation of the affection. The anatomic changes consist of atrophy and degeneration of the nerve-fibers, with hypertrophy of the connective ti ue, and extend from the lumbar region to the calamus script or i us. The symptoms are numerous, but the chief are "lightning-pains;" unsteadine and incoordination of locomotor and other voluntary movements, extending even to the upper extremities disorders; of vision, among others the valuable Argyll- Robertson Pupil, q. v.; cutaneous anesthesia;girdle-sense; abolition of the patellar reflex; diminution of sexual desire; peculiar "crises," etc. The disease is a very chronic one, but is not always progre ive. It occurs most frequently in males, and usually between the ages of thirty and fifty. The most common cause, by some authorities said to be the only cause, is syphilis. Other predisposing, exciting or adjuvant causes are prolonged exposure to cold and wet, alcoholism, mental strain and traumatism of the spine. T. coxaria, wasting from hip-joint disease. T. ergotic a, a toxemia resulting from the use of ergot; its symptomatology closely simulates that of locomotor ataxia. T. glandular is. Synonym of T. mesenterial. T., Hereditary. See Friedreich's Ataxia. T., Lacteal. See Hyper lactation . T. mesenteric us and T. scrofulosa, old terms descriptive of diseases of the digestive and a imilative organs, sometimes tuberculous, sometimes syphilitic, and attended with wasting. T. neurasthenic a, neurasthenia with the symptoms of locomotor ataxia. T. pul monal is, pulmonary tuberculosis. T. saturn in a, the general disability due to lead-poisoning. T. scrofulosa. Synonym of T. mesenteric a. T., Suspension Treatment of, see Suspension. T. urinal is. Synonym of Diabetes mellitns.