Evening star., 1914-07-12
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR JULY II. 1914

SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR JULY IL. 1914
rived from systematic drill before mirror, comprising
series of movements that compel the child to
trate its attention the physical effort. The patient
is told to the refractory limb slowly but perss
tently, according prescribed rules, and in certain d
rections that bring the paralyzed muscles into play
Meanwhile he is watching his reflection in the
mirror, and takes it all new, merry game, and in
time grows well without knowing it. If there is inability
do this muscular act the nurse aids the child go
through each slowly, but keeps his attention
concentrated on the effort.
1t has been concentration of this kind that has
Welded results after operation (Which may be
sry bones in club feet to break the bones in
bow legs and similar cases.; but it has been noticed
that the exercise has produced most of the improvement
There have been where improvement
has been for five years in children between
the ages of twelve and eighteen, where they could not
write hold any article in their fingers; but by
careful system of training these muscles have been de-
veoped to hold such articles knife and fork and pen.
This demonstrates that it is mistaken idea that there
is hope of if there is improvement after six
months. Time is factor 1t is generally the fault of
the method of applying electricity in its various mani
festations, the massage, the exercises.
THE most interesting part of this novel yet thorough
ly scientific method of treating crippes is found in
the physical culture room where the work is sys-
tenatcaly carried under trained attendants and
Here it is that nfantie paralysis and rickets
successfully combatted
The equipment of such room consists of Indian
Clubs dumb BELLS specially devised ladders and pueys,
gripping machines for the finger muscles swinging bars
rings, and exercising tables. Huge mirrors extend from
top to bottom all round the four walls and it is in this
feature that the equipment, well the objective
purposes of the room, is entirely novel,
large percentage of the patients treated in this
begin with considerable degree of curvature of
the spine. The instructors explain to each how to
bend the body and go through with the different phys
cal that will tend pull the proper muscles
in the proper direction Thus the end sought is obvi
ously combination of muscle and education
The patients told by attendants how to concen-
trate their minds the physical effort it is desired to
make. They to think of the movement of their
bodies in bending, STOPPING, and rising. This mental
effort inevitably tends make paths convolu-
place simultaneously with any particular motion of the
body movement of the back limb that is deformed,
the result is to increase the efficiency of muscles and
This treatment tends toward the development
of normal efficiency of control afflicted
bones.
Special uniforms blouses have been devised for the
children (there few adults using the gymnasium)
who undergo the daily corrective exercises The girls
have blouses and loose knee boomers while the boys
have tighter fitting athletic suits adapted to their
spective conditions The bouses have large sections
cut out of the back, that the muscular action,
peciay for spinal curvature be closely observed
by instructors.