GAIT

n. Gat. Fr., marc he (of persons), allure (of horses, etc.). Ger., Gang. Any distinctive manner of walking or running. Ataxic g. The g. of posterior spinal sclerosis, in which steps are taken slowly and deliBerately at regular intervals with the eyes fixed on the ground; but there are irregular movements of the legs, the feet are jerked outward, making a swinging circular movement, and the heels are brought to the ground with a stamp, the toes following with a peculiar flapping sound. As the disease progre es, locomotion can only be made with the a istance of canes or crutches, [a, 34.] Cerebellar g. A staggering and unsteady g. which is the result of cerebellar disease, the normal" cerebellar influence upon co-ordination being removed. [Ru ell, Med. Times and Gaz.," Mar. 3, 1883. p. 239 (D).] Equine g. See G. of peroneal paralysis. Frog g. The g. of infantile diplegia, in which the adductor paralysis and the contractures of the adductors and flexors of the thighs produce a peculiar hopping g. [Sachs and Peterson, "Jour, of Ment. and Nerv. Dis.," May, 1890 (a, 34).] G. of cerebrospinal sclerosis. A g. in which the patient moves with an effort to keep the neck stiff and the head steady; the muscles of the trunk seem to be involved rather than those of the legs; the patient does not walk in a straight line, as in the ataxic g., but shoots suddenly forward to one side, sometimes losing muscular control and coming into violent contact with surrounding objects, [a, 34.] G. of chronic lead poisoning. A peculiar stooping, uncertain, and tottering g. caused by paralysis of the dorsal muscles. [Wilson (o, 34).] G. of diffuse sclerosis. See Paraparetic g.G. of locomotor ataxia. See Alaxic g.G. of paralysis agitans. A g. in which there is hesitation before beginning to walk; a few steps are made slowly, and then the g. becomes rapid on account of the tendency to fall forward (propulsion). In some cases, if a garment is pulled from behind, the patient runs backward (retropulsion). [o 34 ] G. of paraplegia with flaccidity. A g. in which the feet are trailed with difficulty after each other, the knees do not interlock, the back is not arched, and there is no tendency to cro the legs, [a, 34.] G. of peroneal paralysis. A g. in which the foot can not be flexed, abducted, or completely adducted, and too; U", b'ue; U8, lull; C, full; U, urn; C, like U (German;. [s. 127]