The first case history of multiple sclerosis: Augustus dEst, (1794-1848)

• The personal diary of Sir Augustus dEst,, born 1794 grandson of King George III of England, reveals a medical history strongly suggesting that Augustus suffered from multiple sclerosis (MS). It could well be the first record of a person having this disease. Charcot coined the term scl,rose en plaques 20 years after the death of this patient in 1848. The onset of this mans MS seems to have been in 1822 with bilateral optic neuritis, the disease gradually developing in the classic manner with bouts derived from different loci in the central nervous system and eventually a secondary progressive form with paraparesis, sphincter incontinence, urinary problems and impotence. In 1941, Firth highlighted the case of Augustus dEst, and later wrote a description of the pathology including a discussion on the aetiology of MS. No previous medical records have given such a characteristic picture of MS as this.

Nyckelord

Multiple sclerosis

Medical history

Case report

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

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