The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1905-07-22
- -,
Home Health
Club
by DAVID n. REEDER. Phi. D., NJ. q.
La Porte, Ind. 1

o ~

JecC oI lumbago has not been given
attention. This, however, is a mis-
take, as gave a lecture upon the sub
Ject, but 1t was five years ago. There
lore | think another will be timely.
IL is true that the disease has not
since then been discussed under its
W name, although there has been
much given In previous lectures which
is applicable to that ailment. In lum-
bago the large muscles by which the
whole OF the body is raised from a re-
cumbent position become so stiffened
that they are unable longer to per-
form their function. 1t should be
borne in mind that these muscles are
at rest when the body is in a reclining
position, the time when they are taxed
to their utmost being during the act of
passing from this position to the erect.
The condition of a muscle affected
with lumbago differs materially from
either that of paralysis or cramp. The
very substance of the muscle itself
seems to be mostly at fault in this
distressing ailment. In all probability
there Is a nerve defect IN many of
these cases, but this could hardly ne
termed the chief feature of the diff
Guilty, however. 1t is purely one of the
substance of the large muscles them
selves.
The direct cause is that these mus
cles have either suffered from a Sc
we're strain or chill, which has tenn
porarily deprived them OF the elasti-
city. In this condition they cannot be
utilized, or, if they are, it is only at
the expense of very severe pain, the
result of pressure exerted upon certain
nerves, by the rigidity of the muscles
involved.
To cite an example,: A man applies
his strength to the lifting of a very
heavy load, in such a manner as to
bring a strain on the muscles of the
back, exceeding their capacity to with
stand without d~epriving them of their
elasticity. 1t is possible and even
probable that they will not lose
their function Immediately, but stiff
ness gradually manifests itself. The
explanation of this is not in the least
complicated. Because of the over
strain to which they have been sub
jected, they have been affected to
such an extent that they are more
easily deprived of their vital heat, and
being chilled while in this state. they
begin to stiffen. The stiffness thus
raCY11t;nr Sc am IF fhn r,Nck eipo~l0
forms Of the disease now under dis
cussion.
To employ another illustration: A
man has walked sc far as to expend
the amount of vital energy which his
nerves are capable of furnishing to the
lumbar muscles. The exertion
has been so severe as to entirely ex-
haust the supply of force which main
into them their elasticity. To
complete the injury which he is doing.
when thoroughly tired he sits down
upon a cold stone by the roadside, to
rest, Or accepts a preferred ride on
the cold wooden seat of an open wag-
On. The muscles, already taxed be-
In LhC lCoA OoPdNAIJ AZ ACAuil
ing recuperative measures, by this
violence are now effectually
stiffened, and lumbago is the result. OF
course it is not meant to intimate that
his particular regime is necessary,
but only a slight exposure, to the
weary and exhausted back, has prob
occurred, perhaps without the
having been conscious of it,
put infexibility of the large muscles
'esults just as sure.
In cases where this vital nerve
iorce has been entirely exhausted, and
he muscles have become rigid while
n this condition, 1t is not at all rea-
to expect a cure without a
,reat deal of attention to the applica-
ion of restorative measures. OF course
I would be very nice indeed If by
ONE magic spell the condition could
,e instantly overcome, but am Of the
that we mortals will exper-
ence much better and more highly
satisfactory results from a careful ap-
,lication of decidedly m~aterialistic
.gencies. A great many are so desir-
us of overcoming the condition with
ut any particular exertion upon their
art that they are very easily con-
-inced that surgery is the correct
hing, or that blistering, burning or
,oisoning with strychnine or other
oisens are the proper thing, and the
Inevitable result is that the lumbago
5 indeed forced to succumb, but to an
nemy much more formidable than the
isease itself.
l have before me what is said to be
ne of the best medical encyclopedias
ublished. In it I find a careful de-
of a method Of treatment for
lmbago which seems hardly credit
BILE in this day and age of the world,
nd yet the assurance is given that it
largely used. 1t is called "Acupunc-
and the method of application
!; described as follows:
"In lumbago ~acupuncture is made
yer the erector spinae muscles, and
4 sciatica along the course of the
erve; it is performed thus. The pa
Ient is placed prone on his face, the
snder spots are found, and from one
, six needles are pushed vertically