 In 1878, he described myasthenia gravis, a condition sometimes referred to as the "Erb-Goldflam disease" (named along with neurologist Samuel Goldflam).Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder that leads to fatigue and muscle weakness.He was the author of over 250 medical works, including "Handbuch der Elektrotherapie" (a textbook on electrotherapy), and an important study on spinal paralysis.