Quinquaud's Sign
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Quinquaud's sign is a clinical symptom characterized by a specific crepitation or slight tremor felt in the flexor tendons of the fingers and the quadriceps femoris. Described in the 1930s Soviet medical encyclopedia, it was observed in conditions such as chronic alcoholism, progressive paralysis, and certain poisonings.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
QUINQUAUD'S SIGN (Quinquaud), consists of a peculiar crepitation (resembling a slight tremor) of the tendons in the finger flexors and in the quadriceps femoris muscle (in the patellar region) during slight passive or active movements. To elicit this sign, the patient is made to press their fingers perpendicularly into the examiner's palm; the examiner then feels a sensation akin to slight scratching (grattage) by the patient's fingers on their palm. Quinquaud's sign is observed in alcoholism, progressive paralysis, and certain poisonings.
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Cite this page
“Quinquaud's Sign.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/quinquauds-sign/