The Bessemer indicator., 1893-05-13
WRITER'S caAMp.
Some Facts AAsst an Aiimsnt That Il
BsoomisR VERY Common.

l
Bseonisx Very Common.
Under this title We understand an
affection which 10 quite common
among those persons who. by the
nature Of their occupations, are com
PEELED to write for many consecutive
hours. 1t consists OF q spasmodic
contraction OF the muscles OF the
thumb and fingers. rendering them
stiff and useless, and causing in some
cases Il conside.abl amount of pain.
1t comes on gradually, rarely affect
ing those in robust health, but usually
attacking nervous and excitable per-
sons. writes DIR. |. 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 1t back. People suffer
ing from this trouble try to effect n
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 u short
time becomes similarly affected.
Strenuous efforts are often made
when the cramp sets in TO overcome
It by muscular effort, and sometimes
the person is able to write for few
moments. but the result is miserable
specimen of penmanship. and is often
\ illegible. In short time, however,
even the power to hold the pen be-
comes impossible.
The disease is unknown in child
. II tAf ~
25th year, affecting men more fire.
quently than women. Writing with
pencils or the stylographic pen is not
as liable to produce writer's cramp
as is the sharp-pointed steel pen. the
reason being that there is less resis-
tance. Tobacco and alcohol in ex-
cess are said to be causative 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 a similar nature some
times attacks pianists, violin play
ers. seamstresses, milkmaids, tele-
graph operators, etc. If the disease
has existed but a short time cure
can almost positively be expected;
but where 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, soft stub
pen. smooth paper, desk of con-
venient height with ample room to
allow the arm full swing, loose
sleeves. using the muscles of the arm
TO form the letters, changing the
manner of holding the pen. using the
typewriter, etc, all form important
factors in preventing the disease,
especially in those who experience
such prcmohitory symptoms as slight
weakness Of the muscles, slight pain
and sudden contractions and spasm
of the fingers.
The best and quickest results may
be obtained by the use OF electricity,
massage 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.