The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1905-08-10
HIGH COLLARS
Pressure or the Wearing Apparel Causes
Many Diseases.

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That a stiff collar may press againtt
the pneumogastric. or vagus. nerve TO
such q degree as to cause serious
symptoms such as loss OF strength,
neuralgia pains, nausea and even an-
esthesia, IS the belief OF DR.. f. u.
Brubaker, as stated I'm the Medical
Mirror Est. LOUIS. People who habit
ually wear high collars without exper-
fencing any OF these i'll effects may be
surprised to learn the harm that this
seemingly innocent article OF haber-
dashery can wreck. Says DR.. Bru-
baker:
1T Is noteworthy fact that all the
more important vital structures of the
body are safeguarded from injury, en-
cased within bony walls or hidden
deep under layers of muscles.
1.-The important functions of the
pneumogastrlc nerve render 1t neceS-
sary that in its passage through the
neck 1t should be protected from in
jury. We therefore find It enclosed
within the same sheath as the carotid
artery and placed between the artery
and internal Jugular vein, lying pos
nerve is placed between fluid on eth
er side, this arrangement providing
a degree of elasticity uncommon in
nerve protection.
The effect of compression on struc-
lures I'm this locality was shown to
the ancient writer's on medicine. but
the phenomena observed were ascribed
to the artery rather than the nerve.
For instance, 1t was noted then, as
now, that pressure on this part of the
neck was followed by sensation of
want of air, by deep and laboriOus
breathing. rapid heart primarily, to be
afterward retarded with sometimes Il
sense of sinking over the precardial
region. Continuing the pressure Oc-
casions q deep-seated benumbing SEN
sation in the head. as if one were about
to lose consciousness. Gastric Symp-
toms, amounting to nausea, etc. even
vomiting, may arise with lassitude,
languOr, l0wnesS of spirits and want
of repose remaining for an hour or
two then gradually wearing away. 1t
will thus be seen that pressure over
The carotid artery in the neck is fol-
y
After describing several cases in
which these and similar symptoms
seem to have been caused by wearing
high, close fitting collars. DIR. Burbaker
reminds his readers that they also ac-
company many diseases, such as
those of the lungs, iii which disintcgra-
ton of the Ineumogastric nerve is Il
feature, and he asserts that we are
warranted in believing that irritation
due to prolonged pressure may act in
n similar way. He goes on to say:
Believing that collars extremely
high and tight might become an eX-
citing cause of irritation to this impOr-
tant nerve in certain cases. and being
stimulated TO further research along
this line by the experience of my pa
tent whose difficulty was undoubted-
~ cause by continuous pressure upon
this nerve by his collar, l believe it
to be the cause of at least transitory
symptoms in such people as bookkeep-
ers, writer's, professional men and
others whose various callings require
constant and interrupted STOPPING and
bending of the neck.
1t is not necessary to suppose in sup
port of our argument that irritation
or pressure must be direct and imme-
diate upon the pneumOgaStri the
nerves supplying the integument of
the neck and the everything skin being
at least simply supplied by nervous
energy, which communicates with the
pneumogastric. All irritation and all
pressure. therefore, when of sufficient
degree. must become reflected there
on to the detriment of the sufferer. -
Literary Digest.