Herpes Zoster; Central Nervous System Lesions Similar to Those of Epidemic (Lethargic) Encephalitis

This case of herpes zoster is reported because the patient died six weeks after the onset of the attack, and certain microscopic lesions found in the central nervous system are similar in some respects to the type of lesions present in the brain and spinal cord of patients dying from epidemic encephalitis or from poliomyelitis. REPORT CF CASE History. —A well preserved woman, aged 72, developed typical and extensive herpes zoster over the right cervical region, extending from the hairline almost to the clavicle. The vesicles did not extend beyond the midline either anteriorly or posteriorly. During the vesicular stage the disease ran a characteristic slightly febrile course. This lasted for a week or ten days, and the degree of pain was moderate. As the vesicles began to dry up and afterwards, the patient suffered agonizing postherpetic pain, which could not be controlled by drugs, including large doses of morphin.