a. [ad. L. spastic-us (Pliny), a. Gr. σπαστικός, f. σπᾶν to draw: cf. SPASM. So F. spastique.]

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  1.  Path. Of the nature of a spasm or sudden contraction; characterized or affected by spasmodic symptoms or movements.

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1753.  Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., s.v. Gout, The podagra in particular is thus defined to be a spastic and painful affection of the foot.

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1755.  Phil. Trans., XLIX. 243. To compose these spastic motions of the parts.

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1822–7.  Good, Study Med. (1829), I. 318. The graft of a spastic disease upon a spastic temperament.

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1878.  A. M. Hamilton, Nerv. Dis., 155. There are occasionally spastic contractions, which last for some little time.

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1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VI. 314. Amentia, in association with … spastic limbs.

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  b.  spec. in names of special ailments.

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1822–7.  Good, Study Med. (1829), IV. 334. Spastic wry-neck. From excess of muscular action on the contracted side.

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1876.  trans. Wagner’s Gen. Pathol., 340. Spastic anæmia of the small and smallest arteries.

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1891.  Lancet, 15 Aug., 354/1. Among the cases of apparent cure … were cases of spastic paralysis.

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  2.  Performing involuntary contractile movements.

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1822–7.  Good, Study Med. (1829), IV. 576. Such has been the force of the spastic muscles.

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1834.  Good’s Study Med. (ed. 4), IV. 144. The contraction was here a spastic ring bordering immediately on the orifice of the uterus.

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