Gerlier Disease
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Gerlier Disease is a unique intermittent condition observed among shepherds sleeping in barns near Lake Geneva, characterized by brief episodes of paralysis, dizziness, vision disturbances, and muscle weakness. The disease can last for months with a good prognosis for life, and its cause remains unknown, though it may be an infectious disease with an unidentified pathogen.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Gerlier Disease (Gerlier), vertige paralysant, a unique intermittent disease observed at Lake Geneva, exclusively among shepherds sleeping in barns. The disease is characterized by paralyzes and dizziness occurring in the form of brief attacks, during which there is blurring of vision, double vision, ptosis, dizziness and an unsteady gait, sometimes falling, rapidly passing paralyzes of the neck and masticatory muscles, hands, trembling and weakness of the lower extremities, pains, mainly in the occipital muscles. The attacks occur predominantly during muscular exertion. In the free intervals, mild pareses are also noted. The disease can last for months; the prognosis for life is good. Treatment consists of changing the place of residence. Bromine apparently has a bad effect. Besides humans, cats also get sick. The cause of Gerlier disease is not clarified; it may be an infectious disease with an as yet unknown pathogen. A similar disease was observed in Japan (Miura).
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Cite this page
“Gerlier Disease.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/gerlier-disease/