Alcoholism seems to be one of the rarest of etiologic factors in paralysis of the bilateral abductors (the crico-arytenoidei postici) of the larynx, an extremely serious and often fatal condition. A thorough search of the literature, including a study of Semon's1 masterful treatise on motor disturbances of the larynx, disclosed but one fully reported case of this kind. In fact, alcohol is not even mentioned by Semon nor is reference made to it in any of the hundreds of reports he had accumulated. Only in Oppenheim's textbook is it mentioned among the possible etiologic factors of multiple neuritis affecting the vagi, among other nerves.
The only recorded case is that reported by Uffenorde.
REPORT OF UFFENORDE'S CASE
A man, aged 59, as a result of heavy drinking, developed first a partial brachial paralysis and then symptoms of laryngeal obstruction, dyspnea, cough and cyanosis. The vocal cords were completely adducted