Although  muscular  power  is  commonly  normal  at  first,  and  may  be  normal
even  when  the  ataxy  is  considerable,  it  usually  becomes  impaired  as  the  dis-
ease progresses,  and  sometimes  weakness  comes  on,  with  the  ataxy,  at  the
onset  of  the  disease.  The  loss  of  power  is  always  greatest  in  the  legs  and
may  be  confined  to  them.  The  flexors  suffer  more  than  the  extensors.  It
may  be  ultimately  great,  although  it  rarely  amounts  to  absolute  paralysis.
Slight  wasting  of  the  muscles  may  occur  in  the  later  stages  of  the  disease,
but  is  only  attended  with  trifling  depression  of  the  electrical  contractility.
Lateral  curvature  of  the  spine,  and  talipes  equinus,  or  equino-varus,  of  the
foot,  have  been  observed  as  later  results  of  the  muscular  weakness,  develop-
ing under  the  influence  of  posture,  and  contraction  of  the  flexors  of  the
knees  has  also  resulted.
Visceral  crises  do  not  occur.  Frequency  of  pulse  has  been  noted,  how-
ever, in  many  cases,  and  curious  vasomotor  symptoms  (flushing,  cedema,
sweating,  polyuria,  and  salivation)  were  present  in  one  of  Friedreich's  cases.
There  is  no  mental  change  that  can  be  regarded  as  part  of  the  disease.  Im-
becility coexisted  in  one  case  (Power).
The  rate  of  progress  of  the  malady  varies  much,  even  in  different  mem-
bers of  the  same  family.  One  in  whom  the  disease  commenced  last  may  be
unable  to  walk,  while  another  who  suffered  sooner  may  be  still  in  the  early
stage  of  the  disease.  Now  and  then  the  disease  is  stationary  for  many  years.
