Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-28
a Communica alton.

A partial investigation of the public
school children in this city discloses
the startling fact that considerably
more than half of the pupils have
spinal curvature or some other defect
of the back or chest Because of this
serious state of affairs the osteopathic
physicians and surgeons of the city
have decided to institute an energetic
campaign for the prevention of the
grave results which follow in such a
large percentage of these cases and,
also, for the purpose of materially re-
ducing the proportion of back trou-
bles in children.
Glasses will be organized for syste
matte work in muscle building and
training the children by scientific pre-
scribed exercises to stand and sit in
a correct position. But more impUr-
tant than this will be adjustment of
the spine in individual cases by os-
teopathic correction. After the dis
placed bones have been put in correct
position by the osteopaths, the muscles
Will be built up by exercises in order to
hold the spine in its new position. The
astonishing feature of the situation is
that the majority of these cases are
unsupported by the children. teachers
and parents and even by medical ex
aminers themselves.
The public thinks of spinal curva-
ture as an obvious deformity which
can be seen across the street. This is
the condition which results from neg
lect OF these cases in the early stages.
Any deviation from the perfect per-
pendicular constitutes spinal curVa-
tune and should be detected IN its in
cipiency in order that treatment may
be instituted Immediately Treatment
correctly administered in the very first
stages prevents the gross deformity
and accomplishes the result in a COM
paratiVely short time whereas it is
impossible to entirely correct a curve
after 1t becomes extensive, 4 much
longer time is needed to obtain any
benefit, and the procedure becomes
more burdensome and severe for the
patient.
The treatment of curvature seems
to logically fall into the province of
osteopathy, as this would seem at
casual glance to be particularly the
work of physicians who confine them
selves so largely to the consideration
Of things from the spinal standpoint.
Consequently without denying or dis
carding any of the un0ueStioned facts
in the orthopedic method of dealing
with these conditions. osteopathy
takes up the subject from a distinctly
modern and optimistic standpoint, Civ
ing the patient the benefit of the Won
derful possibilities Of the newest treat
ment combined with that which is
good in the old.
Prevention is better than cure. This
fine cid adage can never be better ap-
piled than to spinal curvature. All
children should be examined by os-
teopathic physicians once a year in
order to detect the slightest indication
toward this trouble and to begin
treatment Immediately in case IL is
found. Even in those cases where
there is no evidence whatever of curry
allure the oSteopath can often detect
weaknesses. faulty attitudes of the
spine and inequalities of development
of spinal muscles. These being among
the predisposing causes of curves, he
can give instructions which will cor
rect these things and therefore tend
t. prevent the appearance of the con-
dition later.
The committee of osteopaths in this
city which will have charge of the
work. and which will provide free
treatment for all deserving cases in
cludes the following practitioners:
DIR. NJ. f. HAWK.
DIR. W. F.. SAWYER.