NEUROLOGIC MANIFESTATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH DISSECTING ANEURYSM OF THE AORTA

Abstract

The historical development of present knowledge concerning dissecting aneurysm of the aorta is a fascinating tale dating back to the sixteenth century. Familiar personages from the pages of history add color to the story. Vesalius,¹Morgagni,²Nicholls,³Laennec,⁴Pennock,⁵Peacock,⁶Cruveilhier,⁷Sainet,⁸Swaine and Latham⁹and others have left their lasting imprint on this interesting saga. That the affliction maimed not only the plebeian but the monarch may well have aroused more than passing interest in the early study of the problem. Thus, Nicholls³in 1761, reporting before the Royal Society of London on the death of King George II, gave "a minute detail of what occurred on that remarkable and melancholy occasion." Nicholls went on to say, "His Majesty was found fallen on the ground, speechless and motionless.... He appeared to have just come from his necessary stool." At