River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-05-02
CURED BY HANGING.
The New Treatment OF Persons Athlete,
with Tabes Dorsalis.


with Tabes Dorsalis.
Who IS there that mas not met in the
street towering along, supporting him.
self on a cane or on the arm OF an at
tendant. some unfortunate victim to
that strange disease to which physi-
clans have given the name of tabes
dorsalis, or-as it was called by Du-
chene, who was the first to describe it
--ataxie locomotrice progressive?
About five years ago young Rus
sian physician. DR. Motsehutkowslxy,
of Odessa. hit on an altogether new
treatment which is now attracting the
attention Of the medical profession on
both sides of the Atlantic. His treat
ment aims at curing the curvature OF
the spinal column-which is believed
TO be the true cause Of the disease-by
means Of suspension. with the aid OF
apparatus invented by DIR. Seyre. of
New York, for the treatment of spinal
diseases. The object of suspension is
TO produce regular and continual trac-
ton on the patients spine.
The Paris Figaro, in an exhaustive
article on the subject Of ataxie loco
motrice, illustrated by cuts, shows how
the head is supported by the chin and
occip,st in tho apparatus in a manner
which precludes all danger Of strangu-
lation. The essential parts of the ap-
paratu3 c0nsGsss of a horizontal bar of
about the same length as the breadth
Of the patients shoulders, suspended
by means OF hook and a pully from
the ceiling or any other elevated point
The bar has at each end hook, from
which hangs padded strap forming a
look. The patients arms are passed
through these straps, which serve to
carry large part of the dead weight
of his body. This is necessary for the
reason that were the whole weight al
lowed to bear upon the head and neck,
UNDESIRABLE torture would result. At
the same time it is important that this
be too great. for then the traction
would not be sufficient to produce the
elongation of the vertebral column,
which is the end aimed at by the treat
ment.
When the apparatus is i'm place and
adjusted to the patient the rope pass
ing through the pulley is drawn down
slowly and steadily until the patient is
lifted from his feet. AT first suspen-
sion is limited to a half minute at q
time, but this time is gradually in
creased until il reaches a maximum Of
from three to four minutes, result
usually obtained on the seventh or eight
day.
While thus far the results are not
sufficiently conclusive to allow it to be
asserted that the treatment is an alb
solute cure for the disease, it is certain
that in the great majority of cases very
marked and considerable amelioration
of the worst symptoms of the disease
have been obtained. Since October Z
last ninety-one cases have been treated
by suspension at the Saltpetriere Hos
pital, under the supervision of DIR.
Charcot. All of these, with the ex-
ception of those who have not been
under treatment long enough for the
results to be apparent, are very much
better
Prof Charcot says: Hitherto We
have not known what to advise for IN
fortunates afflicted with this disease,
but until we have proof TO the contrary
/ shall unhesitatingly tell them to go
and hang themselves. - European
Herald.