The Washington times., 1905-07-02
DANGERS OF
HIGH COLLARS

. HAT a stiff high collar may press
against the pneumogdStric, or
vagus, nerve to such a degree
as to cause serious symptoms,
such as loss of strength, neuralgia
pains, nausea and even anesthesia, is
the belief of DR.. F.. B. Brubaker, as
given in medical journal. People who
habitually wear high collars without
experiencing any OF these i'll effects may
be surprised to learn the harm that
this seemingly innocent article OF haber-
dashery can wreak. Says DR.. Bruebaker:
1t is a 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.
The important functions of the pneu-
mogastric nerve render it necessary
that in its passage through the neck it
should be protected from injury We.
therefore, find it irlclosed within the
same sheath as the carotid artery and
placed between the artery and internal
Jugular vein, lying posteriorly to both.
BY this provision the nerve is placed
between fluid on either side, this ar
rangen1ent providing degree of elas-
tieity uncommon in nerve protection
The effect of compression on strt,e-
lures in this locality was known to tho
ancient writers on medicine, but the
phenomena observed were ascribed to
the artery rather than the nerve. For
instance, it was noticed then, as now,
that pressure on this part of the neck
was followed by a sensation eff want OF
air, by deep and laborious breathing,
rapid heart primarily, to be afterwari
retarded with sometimes a sense of sink
/ ing over the precardial region. Cont'T-5
ed benunbing sensation in the head, as
| if one were about to lose consciousness.
Gastric symptoms, amounting to
nausea, etc, even vomiting, may arise,
| spirits and want of repose, remaining
| for an hour or two. then gradually wear
/ ing away 1t will thus be seen that pres
| sure over the carotid artery in the neck
is followed by various symptoms.
After describing several eases IN
which these and similar symptons seem
to have been caused by wearing high,
close-fitting collars. DR.. Bruebaker re-
minds his readers that they also accom-
| pany many diseases. such as those OF
the lungs in which diSintegra1iol OF the
| pne,lmogastrie nerve is a feature
The doctor asserts there is warrant
| for believing that irritation due to pro-
| longed pressure may act IN similar
way. He goes on to say.
Believing that collars extremely high
and tight might become exciting
cause of irritation TO this important
nerve III tcItdiil anu pS'ifS SttihA-
uiated te further research along this
| line by the experience OF my patient.
whose difficulty was undoubtedly caused
| by the continuous pressure upon this
nerve by his collar, believe il 20 be the
cause of at least transttory symptoms
| in such people as bookkeepers, writer's,
professional men and others whose ya-
| rious caiIings require constant and un-
| 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 immediate
upon the pueumogastric, the nerves
supplying the integumenJ of the neck
| and the everything skin being at least
simply supplied by nervous energy,
| which communicates with the pneumo-
gastric. All irritation and all pressure,
therefore. when of sufficient degree,
must become reflected thereon to the
/ detriment of the sufferer"