CHARCOT Jean-Martin (1825–1893).

Preparatory notes for his lectures on diseases of the nervous system delivered at the Salpêtrière. These notes relate to the lecture *On Agitated Paralysis* [Parkinson’s disease] (the fifth lecture in Volume II of *Lectures on Diseases of the Nervous System*). They are organised into seven paragraphs numbered I–VII, each of which is further subdivided. ‘§I. 1. I have deliberately gathered together women in whom trembling appears to constitute the entire disease. 2° The symptom appears identical. The differences lie 1° in intensity. – 2° in the site. One might think it the same pathological condition. 3° – However, there are two categories. – 1° Some tremble only 1° during movements – upper limbs / the act of drinking / walking / 2° if emotionally stirred. – 2° The others. Ceaseless trembling. They find respite only in sleep. § II. This distinction between two types of tremor has been overlooked by modern classical authors. – However (Gueneau de Mussy), it had not escaped the notice of doctors of the previous century. […] § III. This distinction in the form of the tremor will help us to establish an initial distinction between two diseases hitherto confused, but nevertheless fundamentally distinct. – 1° Multiple sclerosis. Generalised tremor during movements. – 2° Agitating paralysis. Permanent convulsive tremor’… Etc. Enclosed is a small leaflet (square in-8, perforated), containing observations (A–D) on the spinal cord of a human embryo at 4–6, 7–8, 9 and 12–15 weeks’ gestation, addressed on the back to his assistant Dr Bourneville ‘from Dr Charcot’. [Désiré Magloire Bourneville (1840–1909) edited Charcot’s lectures for publication in three volumes (1872, 1875, 1883) under the title Lessons on Diseases of the Nervous System.]