RT Journal
A1 HOOVER CF
T1 COmplemental opposition
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1909
FD April 17
VO LII
IS 16
SP 1234
OP 1235
DO 10.1001/jama.1909.25420420014002d
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1909.25420420014002d
AB I published some time ago a brief article1 in which was described the method of employing a coordinated contralateral spinal reflex for differentiating between functional and genuine pareses of the lower extremities. This reflex was termed complemental opposition. Dr. Zenner, of Cincinnati, published later an account2 of some clinical observations on genuine and functional pareses which confirmed my own observations. Dr. Zenner, however, said that he could not confirm my observations on normal subjects in detecting the contralateral opposition when the initial movement involved activation of the extensor iliofemoral muscles of one side; that is, if a patient lying on a couch is instructed to oppose one leg against the surface of the couch, thus activating the extensor iliofemoral muscles of that side, Dr. Zenner does not find complemental opposition manifested in the other thigh and leg.It is true that the complemental opposition in response to an