Insensitiveness to Pain

Abstract

Insensitiveness to pain was noted in association with organic disease of the nervous system, during phenurone therapy and as a component of a familial disfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Only 14 cases of generalized skin insensitiveness to pain with preservation of touch and without any other evidence of organic neurologic disease have been reported in the literature. Another instance of such a condition in a 38-yr.-old patient is reported. This patient showed no reaction to noxious stimuli as measured by a rise in blood pressure or change in pulse rate. There was no discomfort produced by the application of irritating substances applied to ruptured blisters formed by canthardin cereate plaster. Skin biopsy was normal as were electro- and pneumoencephalograms. This lack of appreciation of pain, existing as long as the patient can recall, is most likely congenital and probably allied to the agnosias.