[Recent developments in electrical tests applied to the study of facial paralysis].

We have already shown the spontaneous development over a period of time of idiopathic facial paralysis, in relation to the extent of the resulting disfigurement, by means of analytical clinical measurement representing the sum of 19 factors constituting the force of contraction, tonus, coordination and hemispasm. This spontaneous development takes place in 3 stages: --an initial period up to the 15th day; --an intermediate period during which there is clinically total facial paralysis; --a period of recuperation. The duration of this development in relation to the extent of sequelae enables a rough distinction to be made between: a) benign facial paralysis in which disfigurement is nil or very slight (1 to 6 p. 100), incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis in which recuperation starts about the 15th day at the earliest, or at about the 4th month at the latest; c) very serious facial paralysis with moderate (38 to 66 p. 100), or considerable (66 to 100 p. 100) disfigurement and in which recuperation starts at the end of the 3rd month at the earliest. The authors have attempted to indicate how effective very prompt quantitative electrical procedures are in helping to assess the seriousness of ultimate permanent disfigurement (see article).