Dr. Setu Vora and I have published a small article in the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases about Kipling's use of Romberg's Test in Love-o'-Women.  It appears in the June issue (Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol 10, June 2004, 1160-2). 

    Romberg's test is, of course, the inability of a person to maintain balance when standing with feet together and eyes closed.  It is due to disease of the spinal cord and is commonly associated with spinal cord syphillis, usually called tabes dorsalis.

    I hope other members might find it of some interest.  The internet address for the journal is www.cdc.gov/ein  You will need to look up the June issue to find the article.

                                                                                Robert W. Lyons, M.D.