Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1905-08-02
Home Health |
Club |
b DAVID b. FEEDER, Ph. D.. Mn
La Porte, Ind
LUMBAGo.

take, as gave lecture upon the sub
]ect, but it was five years ago. There
fore | think another will be timely.
IL is true that the disease has not
since then been discussed under its
own 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 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 X this
distressing ailment. In all probability
there is nerve defect in many of
these cases, but this could hardly be
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 or the elasti-
city. In this condition they cannot be
utilized. or, if they are, it is only at
of kho
| 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 very
heavy load, in such a manner as to
bring strain on the muscles of the
back, exceeding their capacity to with
stand without depriving 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
resulting is one of the most simple
forms Of the disease now under dis
cussiOn.
To employ another illustration: A
man has walked so far as to expend
the amount of vital energy which his
nerves are capable of furnishing to the
large lumbar muscles. The exertion
has teen so severe as to entirely ex-
tains into them their elasticity. To
complete the injury which he is doing.
when thoroughly tired he sits down
upon 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-
You'd their real capacity, and requir-
Ing recuperative measures, by this
further violence are now effectually
stiffened, and lumbago is the result. Of
course it is not meant to intimate that
this particular regime is necessary,
but only slight exposure, to the
weary and exhausted back. has prob
ably occurred, perhaps without the
patient having been conscious of it,
but inf1exibility of the large muscles
results just as sure.
In cases where this vital nerve
force has been entirely exhausted. and
the muscles have become rigid while
in this condition. it is not at all rea-
sonable to expect cure without a
great deal of attention to the applica-
ton of restorative measures. OF course
it would be very nice indeed if by
some magic spell the condition could
be instantly overcome, but am of the
opinion that we mortals will exper-
fence much better and more highly
satisfactory results from careful ap-
plication of decidedly materialistic
agencies. A great many are so desir-
GUS of overcoming the condition with
out any particular exertion upon their
part that they are very easily con-
WINGED that surgery is the correct
thing. or that blistering. burning or
poisoning with strychnine or other
poisons are the proper thing, and the
inevitable result is that the lumbago
is indeed forced to succumb, but to an
enemy much more formidable than the
disease itself.
| have before me what is said to be
one of the best medical encyclopedias
published. In 1t l find careful de-
scription of method of treatment for
lumbago which seems hardly credit
able in this day and age of the world,
and yet the assurance is given that 1t
is largely used. 1t is called "Acupunc-
ture" and the method of application
is described as follows:
SIN lumbago acupuncture is made
over the erector spinae muscles. and
in sciatica along the course of the
nerve; it is performed thus. The pa
tient is placed prone on his face, the
tender spots are found, and from one
to six needles are pushed vertically