Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-07-21
49,
Home Health |
Club |
By DAVID q. REEDER. Phi. D.. Nd.
La Porte, Ind.
LUMBAGO.

ject, but it was five years ago. There
fore | think another will be timely.
1t 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 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 in 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
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
thekexpense of very severe pain, the
result of pressure exerted upon certain
nerves, by the rightly of the muscles
involved
To cite an example: A man applies
his strength to the lifting of very
heavy load, in such q manner as to
bring a 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 been SO severe as to entirely ex-
haust the supply of force which main
tains 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-
yond 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 a slight exposure, to the
weary and exhausted back, has prob
ably occurred, perhaps without the
patient having been conscious of it
but inflexibility 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, 1t is not at all rea-
sonable to expect a cure without g
great deal of attention to the applica
ton of restorative measures. Of course
1t would be very nice indeed If by
some magic spell the condition coulG
be instantly overcome, but | am of the
opinion that we mortals will exper
fence much better and moIe Highly
satisfactory results from careful ap
plication of decidedly materialistit
agencies. A great many are so desir
Gus of overcoming the condition with
out any particular eXertion upon theil
part that they are very easily con
WINGED that surgery is the correc
thing, or that blistering, burning o,
poisoning with strychnine or otheI
poisons are the proper thing, and>tht
inevitable result is that the lumbagt
is indeed forced to succumb, but to al
enemy much more formidable than tn
disease itself
have before me what is said to b.
one of the best medical encyclopedia
published. In it | find careful de
scription of method of treatment TO
lumbago which seems hardly credit
able in this day and age of the world
and yet the assurance is given that
is largely used. 1t is called "Aoupunc
ture.' and the method OF application
Is described as follows:
I'm lumbago acupuncture is mad
over the erector spinae muscles, an
In sciatica along the course Of tn
nerve; it is performed thus. The pa
tent is placed prone on his face, tn
tender spots are found, and from on
10 six needles are pushed verticall
into the flesh and allowed to renal
from one-half to two hours. The nee