Cerebrospinal Fluid in Experimental Compression of the Spinal Cord

In 1903, Froin1published cases of compression of the spinal cord due to a variety of causes but especially to meningitis; spinal fluid obtained by lumbar puncture was yellow, clotted rapidly, and contained an excess of protein. Since then this fluid has been called thesyndrome de coagulation massive et de xanthochromie. It was subsequently found in a much greater variety of conditions, but all exhipited the common characteristic of cord compression. In 1910, Nonne2called attention to the significance of a moderate to considerable increase in protein content of the spinal fluid, without xanthochromia, increase of cells or clotting. This type of fluid was frequently found in the presence of cord compression in a large number of cases published from Nonne's clinic by Raven.3 In 1916, the writer and Viets4analyzed a number of personally observed cases, and from these and from the literature, concluded