French school and World War First: neurological consequences of a frightening time

Abstract

Some aspects of a dark period in the history of the modern neurology, that of the World War I (WWI), are here remembered, mainly by the neurological French School participation . Some personalities and their works related to the WWI are presented such as Joseph Babinski, Jules Froment, Clovis Vincent, Jules Joseph Dejerine, Augusta Déjérine-Klumpke, Jules Tinel, Pierre Marie, Achille Alexandre Souques, Charles Foix, and Georges Guillain.

Historical Features Regarding the Neuropathic Outbreaks in Brazilian Troops in the Paraguayan War

“…During World War I, for instance, Georges Guillain (1876-1961), Alexandre Barré (1880Barré ( -1967, and André Strohl (1887-1977) witnessed (1916) 2 cases of soldiers with similar symptoms and signs that are known today as Guillain-Barré syndrome. 5 In this article, outbreaks of peculiar symptoms of neuropathy in Brazilian soldiers in the Paraguayan War are studied. The original reports and contemporary science did not have the critical clinical elements needed to reach a diagnosis at the time.…”

“…During World War I, for instance, Georges Guillain (1876–1961), Alexandre Barré (1880–1967), and André Strohl (1887–1977) witnessed (1916) 2 cases of soldiers with similar symptoms and signs that are known today as Guillain-Barré syndrome. 5…”

Probable first report of a motor deafferentation syndrome in the Paraguayan War

“…In any case, considering the immobility emphasized by the writer, and the significant probability of diagnosis related to the high prevalence of thiamine deficiency, the most likely diagnosis for the reported case would be GWE with CPM, less likely GBS. Coincidently, GBS was first described in the World War I by Georges Guillain, Jean Alexandre Barré, and André Strohl when they witnessed (1916) two similar cases of soldiers who had partial paralysis with significant impairment of reflexes with spontaneous regression 14 . However, both GWE with CPM and GBS have some characteristics of motor deafferentation syndrome or LIS that may encompass many etiologies ( Figure 2 ).…”

“…In fact, mercury compounds, like calomel, were used in medicinal preparations in the past. However, this toxic cause is less likely for this discussed case: "Toxic effects were soon noticed in individuals given large doses for long periods [...] They had troubling neurologic symptoms, such as arm and facial tremors, hyporeflexia, weakness, ataxia, and erethism [...]" 13 .…”

Augusta Marie Déjerine-Klumpke: much more than just Déjerine's wife

“…On July 14, 1888, Augusta married her professor, Déjerine, who was her senior by 10 years. He often said that "she had all the possible positive attributes" («Elle a toutes les qualités possibles») 8 . Together they made a formidable pair within neurology.…”