The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-05-25
WRITER'S cRAMP.
Some Facts About All Ailment That Is
Becoming Very Common.

Becoming Very Common
Under this title we understand an
affection which is quite common
among those persons who, by the
nature Of their occupations, are com
PEELED to write for many consecutive
hours. 1t consists of a spasmodic
contraction of the muscles of the
thumb and fingers, rendering them
stiff and useless and causing in some
cases a considerable amount OF pain
1t comes on gradually, rarely affect
ing those in robust health, but usually
attacking nervous and excitable per-
sons, writes DR.. l.. S. Rau in the
Ladies' Home journal
AS soon as the person affected stops
writing, the cramp ceases, but re-
turns as soon as he again attempts it,
whereas any other use of the hand
fails to bring it back. People suffer-
ing from this trouble try to effect q
cure by moving the wrist and forearm
In writing, when it extends to these
muscles. The left hand is often
brought into use, but after short
time becomes similarly affected.
Strenuous efforts are often made
whom the cramp sets in to overcome
1t by muscular effort, and sometimes
the person is able to write for a few
moments, but the result is miserable
specimen Of penmanship, and is otter
illegible. In short time, however,
even the power to hold the pen be-
comes impossible.
The disease is unknown in child
hood, seldom coming on before the
25th year, affecting men mere fire.
quently than women. Writing with
pencils or the photographic pen is not
as liable to produce writer's cramp
as is the sharp-polnted steel pen, tho
reason being that there is less resis-
lance Tobacco and alcohol in ex-
cess are said to be causativo agents.
There is also certain hereditary
tendency to the cramp. Injuries to
the fingers and arm sometimes act as
predisposing causes.
There are two classes of muscular
action concerned which are important |
causes in the disease. The steady |
contraction of the muscles that poise
the hand and hold the pen, and the
intermittent contractions of the mus
cles concerned in moving it,
A cramp of similar nature some
times attacks pianists, violin play
ers, seamstresses, millimaids, tele-
graph operators, etc. If the disease
has existed but short time cure
can almost positively be expected;
but whore it has been of long stand
ing, treatment, though carried out
conscientiously and extending over a
very long period, often yields little
or no results.
AS regards prevention, q soft stub
pen, smooth paper, desk of con-
vehient height with ample room to
allow tho arm full swing, loose
sleeves, using the muscles of the arm
to form the letters, changing tho
manner of holding the pen, using the
typewriter, etc, all form important
factors in preventing the disease,
especially in those who experience
such premonitory symptoms as slight
Weakness of the muscles, slight pain
ind sudden contractions and spasm
Of the fingers.
The best and quickest results may
DO obtained by the use of electricity,
and gymnastics Absolute
rest, tonic treatment, and change of
climate are advisable. When all
methods fail, the only alternative is
to change ones occupation, that the
muscles may have no cause for spas
modic contraction