Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-17
CURES HUNCHBAcKS,
New York Physician Perfects
 Way of Strengthening Spine.
THE TREATMENT IS PAINLESS

Body Is Incased In Plaster of Paris
 Cast, In Which Openings Are Cut tc
 Permit Application of Pressure Pads
 Over Deformity.
 New York, Feb. 17-Announcement of great achievement in surgical re- search has been made in this city. | Experiments in the treatment of kyphoses- s-hunchbacks-with the view of effecting cures, have been conduct ed for months unheralded at the hos pital of the New York Society For the Relief of the Crippled and Ruptured.
 The experiments have been under the direction of Dr. V. P. Gibney, the ia nous surgeon. They have now reach ed the stage where the surgeons are able to state that the victims of de- formity if treated in time by the new method can be made to grow straight and strong.
 More wonderful still, crooked backs can be strengthened, and among the dozen or more cases now under treat ment there is not one which has not shown a decided recession of the de- formity, and it is expected that cures will be made in every case. The treatment of the disease (hunch- back results from tuberculosis of the bone) is simple. The only appliance used is plaster of paris cast, in l which the patient is incased and in which openings are cut to permit the application of pressure pads over the hump. The entire torso is covered with solid mold of plaster which ex- tends well up on the head. Patient Suspended by Chin. It is the manner of applying the cast in which the new features of the treat ment are introduced. The patient is suspended by his head from the cell ing in sling which passes under his chin. While in this position, with the muscles and joints relaxed, the physi- clans apply the plaster cream. The patient is allowed to hang in midair until the cast has hardened, when he is taken down, and openings over the ab- domen and back are cut in the cast.
 The new method of treatment was discovered by Dr. Calot of Berck-sur- Mer, a famous French surgeon, whose experiments in the direction of dis covering a cure for spinal deformities have given him an international repu- tation. The new method was introduc- ed into this country by Dr. Gibney, who is surgeon in chief of the Grip ples' hospital.
 Dr. Gibney began his experiments soon after his arrival here last fall, but they have been conducted with the utmost secrecy. It was with great reluctance that he confirmed the in- formation regarding his work. He said:
 Improvement In Many Cases.
 "The treatment has not been conclud. ed as yet in the case of any of the patients and will not be until next March. would not care to state posi- lively that we have effected a cure, but there has been decided improve ment in many of the cases. Dr. Calot declares he has effected cures and shows photographs and radiographs of severe cases of kyphoses which have receded under his remarkable treat ment. We are using the same treat ment and hope for the same success
 In marked contrast to the conserva- tism of Dr. Gibney are the attitude and expressions of the officials of the hospital, who declare that a sure cure has been discovered. Two of the pa tients, both little girls, who have been under treatment several months, were shown to a reporter yesterday as a proof of their statements.
 The little bodies had nearly straight ened out under the pressure of the cast. and the attendants confidently prophesied that they would be com pletely cured within two months.
 The treatment is absolutely painless, and the two little tots ran away laugh ing and talking after the inspection.
 Cure Is Painless.
 Doesn't the cast hurt?" one was asked.
 "Oh, no. It feels nice. I can run around now, and couldn't before, she replied.
 The treatment as outlined by pr. Gibney rests entirely on the method of applying the cast. The bandages are so arranged that all the weight and pressure rest on the shoulders and hips. By this means pressure can be applied to deformed vertebrae without displacing other portions of the spine.
 It is in this feature that pr. Calot has overcome the obstacle which thwarted medical men for years. Pre- vious appliances only extended upward to the armpits and downward to the small of the back. When pressure was applied under these conditions. 1t was ! found that the tender muscles and bones of the spine were displaced. ren dering treatment by pressure impossI 1 ble.
 NO method was known of applying the bandages so that they would con form to the natural outline of the body until pr. CaIot devised the plan of sus pending the patient by his head.
 Seven Killed In Crash at Crossing.