CHRONIC CHLOROFORM POISONING

Abstract
Motivated by interest in a case of prolonged addiction to chloroform falling under our observation, an investigation of the relative frequency of this aberration disclosed only 29 authentic cases in the literature appearing after the discovery of this drug, in 1830, and its subsequent introduction into medical science. Twenty-four cases were reported before 1900; only 5 cases have since been recorded.1 In the majority of the accounts neurologic data were not included, the statements being limited to the cause of the addiction and the amount and mode of consumption. Of the authors, only Friedländer,1a Rehm1b and Storath1f offered a résumé of neurologic observations, in addition to somewhat more specific data pertaining to the physical status of their patients. Pathologic reports were not included in any of the records. The use of chloroform in general was initially actuated by a painful minor disorder, such as toothache, neuralgia,

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