Evening journal., 1916-08-24

again drag forward the feet. II is
obviously better that patients should,
il possible. stand erect and walk with
one leg at a time, instead of dragging
both legs together along behind them
with crutches advanced. The measures
of treatment now to be considered
are (a) massage. (b) neat. (c) cleo
tricity, I'D muscle training.
Massage: There is no doubt that
massageing at this period is OF adj
vantage, but II must be also recog-
nized that not much must be expected
Of It. Proper massageing and ma
nipulation OF an affected limb, stimu-
lates the flow Of the venous or blue
blood toward the heart and Incl
dentally increases the flow OF arterial
or red blood to the limb to replace
the venous blood carried away. Direct
manipulation of the muscles in a
measure empties them of waste pro-
ducts retained in the muscles them
selves.
Heating Of the Limb.
If partly psralyzed limb is heated IL
is capable Of performing better muscu-
heat causes reflex dilatation of the
surface blood vessels drawing the blood
ont Of the deeper parts. Heating also
tends 10 add to the effectiveness or
massage, because the skin being full OF
blood, a greater volume Of blood Is
driven toward the center Of the body
to be replaced by a. similarly large vol
ume returning 70 the limb.
The faradic current acts directly on
the muscle 10 which IL is applied, 10
produce a local contraction. H. is not
very powerful means of exercise, and
practically il Is disagTeeable 10 the pa
tient, and 10 Young children source
Of terror The galvanic current is used
10 improve nutrition, TO promote the
conduction Of nerve impulses. ond ior
its general effect on the nervous system.
Nowadays the newer form If current
such ne high frequency, the siuusoidal
currents and the Morton wave current
are employed.
when the muscles have been exam
/ ined sci Of exercises should bc worked
out TO suit the individual case, and these
exercises are given in connection with
each movement and followed directly
! after the examination Of these regions
II a muscle Is apparently without any
| power. the patient should concentrate
| his attention on the attempt 10 accom-
/ plish the movement. while IL Il perform
ing movements through their whole arc
should any additional resistance be
given. and not until they are capable Of
performing the movement next in order
/ of strength. throughout its whole are
ta. a.IuH
of easier ones. II is usually enough 10
lct the patient 60 through all his ex-
crcses once a day six days in the week
A table or other fiat surface. pref
erably not the floor. is necessary. for
the proper performance Of the muscu-
lar exercises. Certain exercise for
different parts OF the body have been
systematized. and are daily being en-
ployed with beneficial results. the ex-
ercises being so extensive Il is inn
| possible to embrace them in this ar
ticle.
In the Chronic Phase.
In the chronic phase the improve
ment per Sc may he assumed 10 be
slight. II is the stage of stationary
paralysis. and tho time when fixed
tOefOTfnlNleS become eNlueuN anu Wh'l
the operative question arises. This
1--we shall leave to the surgeon.
II is designed to test. under condi
tions Of constant position and lever
Iage by a series OF spring balance
pulls. the power Of the muscles. which
govern the movement Of the limbs; Il
Is applicable for all tests OF power IN
normal muscles for determining loss
or gain of power at stated intervals
for the determination Of the degree OF
weakness in paralyzed muscles. The
method aims at pulling against
fixed position. assumed by the patient
rather than attempting to have the
lpatient hold a movement OF its own.
In closing It may be stated thai
infantile paralysis. while certainly In
sidious in its origin, and the attend
ant deformities are often very mark
ed. nevertheless with all Of the re
search work being accomplished II
this country today. that It will b'
but a short while before not only
specific preventative but an absolute
cure is discovered