ON THE LEGACY OF BABINSKI,JOSEPH

Joseph Babinski pioneered development of French neurosurgery and world clinical neurology. Although he was best known for his discovery of t he extensor plantar response, his foundations in the modern semiology of neurology are unequivocal. He introduced the concepts and terminolo gy of cerebellar symptoms and discovered a reflex asymmetry as the sig n of organic disease. Although he considered the development of French neurosurgery by his pupils as his greatest accomplishment, it is 'the sign' that has dominated his legacy over the years. This sign will al so celebrate a centenary in 1996.