The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-24

trouble begins. Certain of the nerve cells
In the brain become exhausted from over
work, and until the problem of how to re-
plenish this wasted vitality is solved, pen
paralysis will remain to hamper the lives
and make sour the disposition of many
good men who are willingi to work, but
cannot.
NUMEROUS REMEDIES OFFERED.
Other remedies in addition TO those
mentioned have been tried such as mar
cOtic inunctions, sea, mud and other
baths, pneumatic hydrotherapeutic treat
ment. The entire range of therapeutics
haze been exhausted TO no purpose. Brace
lets, penholders, etc, of curious designs
have been constructed, but all these
things have been shown to be tentative,
and the cramp remains. Where the rec
ommendation to write with the left hand
was followed it has been found in many
cases that the disease gradually re-
appeared in that hand.
The writer talked for a long time with
a man in this city who claims to be an
expert in the treatment of pen paralysis.
He illustrated in graphic words the man
ner in which the appearance of this dis
ease may be noted.
"A person is seemingly quite we'll ;"
said he, land in full command of his pen
in writing. Suddenly he feels a violent
quivering IN one Of his fingers, or in the
whole hand, singing and conclusive; the
pen is dropped from his hand or is thrown
away, pain is felt in the lower and upper
arm to the region of the shoulder; his
hand turns now to the right, now to the
left; the lower arm raises itself: the fin
gers refuse their ONCE and no longer re-
spond to the will. They bend or stretch
themselves convulsiyely,! and the, com
mand which reaches them from the brain
through the nerves is not noticed. How
violently this affects the mind of the pa
tient is not generally realized"
To the question as to what in his opin-
ion is the origin Of the trouble, he said he
was convinced that the disease could not
be of q central nature. but rather dis
turbance of the musculature in volved, be
the cause what it may; for it appears
only during the use of the muscles and
not otherwise"
GYMNAsTIC TREATMENT.
"And how do you treat it,"
My method of treatment" he an
swered, (which is not empirical, is based
on the recognition of the proximate as
well as the general causes of the disease,
and aims at permanent rather than a
temporary cure. My treatment is DO
secret. 1t consists Of active and passive
| gymnastics of the muscles for bending
and stretching the hand, the lower arm
and also all the muscles of the upper
arm, and massage of those members.
! Some time later elemen tary writing ex-
| ercises peculiar to the method are com
menced. During the treatment, which
lasts from two to three weeks, | give
three sessions daily for exercise in mas
sage and gymnastics. The fundamental
method of my scheme can easily be
understood by any medical man,
but it is not the same with the
execution. This must be adapted to
every special case. First of all, the really
attacked muscles must be recognized and
subjected to treatment by massage and
gymnastics in special manner. To do
this great experience is required, an accu-
rate knowledge of the manifold appear
ance of the writers cramp and certain
natural ability"
''Mightn't your apparent secrecy be re
garded as unprofessionall" suggested the
writer
Certainly not" said he; chow could
it, L make no secret of my method, and
am ready to explain it personally to any
medical man who desires information on
the sublecs and yet no one so far as ]
know has been able to initiate me with
the same success. Think know how &c
determine that group of muscles which
require the strengthening gymnastics
/ better than our most exact electrothera
| peutists'