Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-05-04
q x,cklNs BOYS AID TO SCIENCE.
- Helps DR.. sayrs to Discover . Cure
for Locomotor Ataxia-

- Helps DR.. sAyrc to Discover . Cure
for Locomotor Ataxia-
As announced in The Herald's cable
dipatches, a cure for the dread disease
known as locomotor ataxia has been
Fscently put TO practice in Europe. "
4 alleged that DR.. Motschutkowsky,
Il Odessa, is the discoverer OF the new
treatment, which aims at curing the
curvature of the spinal column by sus-
psnding the patient.
DIR. Lewis A. Sayre, Of this city, is
nocredited with having invented the
0paratus in use which IA described
"a The Herald, whereby the patient is
lifted from his feet with the object OF
s1Ongating the vertebral column.
Icalled on several eminent surgeons
yesterday, with O view to obtaining
their versions Of the new cure OF loco
motor ataxia, and failed TO find one
who could disclose the secret They
al acknowledged they efficacy OF the
treatment pursued by Charcot, admit
ting that II is due TO the process OF
suspension by DR.. Sayre's instrument.
Various theories We're offered in expla-
nation of the results attained, the most
plausible one being that a straight
ening Of the spine removes the clamp
like pressure upon the nerves u thus
permits them TO open communication
with the legs and produce their action.
One urgeo maintained that a
curve is not effected, but that a tenn
porary relief is given, the same as Is
secured in cases OF neuralgia by
stretching the nerves.
DIR. Sayre was in bed when | called
ON him, having been a sufferer from
rheumatism for many years, and more
acutely so in the last three years. lbs
handsome, benevolent face Int up with
satisfaction when | related the purpose
of nv visit. II discovered accidental
ly, several years ago" said DIR. Sayre,
"that the Strengthening OF the spine
produced a salutary effect upon the
locomotor ataxia, which means an in
ability to use the legs. A boy was
brought to me suffering from a curva'
ture Of the spine. His parents wer'
poor and lived at Chatham Corners
They supposed l could cure him IL
one trip. As the little fellow was IL
great suffering l determined not to lie
him return home without relief, m,
intention being to 1--WE him a plasteI
Jacket, with instr actions TO return
when he had grown a few months
older.
"AsI lifted the little fellow, holdin!
him with my hands beneath his arms
noticed that he began TO kick.
That's funny / remarked. HOY
the devil could he do thatf
s'In a few minutes the jacket wa
cast and | laid the boy on a lounge /
my office so that the plaster could Sc
hard. | went out for a few minute
and on returning found that the La
had left the couch and gone TO tn
window, to my further surprise. Oh
giving this peculiar case deep study
came 10 the conclusion that by hole
ing the boy up and thus straightenin
the spine the hitherto impeded circr
lation of the blood had been starte
and given his legs free action. An
that seems to be the case in all IL
stances"
Here DIR. Sayre bent his thumb
illustrate the effect of a spinal curyi
ture. He said that by suspension Il
spine is Strengthened and that Il
nerves are relieved of the pressure du
10 the curve, as, for instance, when Ii
thumb is Dental the joint.-New Yor
Herald