Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-11
WRITER'S CRAMP
By H. Addington Bruce

r N the New York Medical Record there re-
Gently appeared an unusual communica-
L. ton, from DR.. w. H. Bates, of special in
terest to sufferers from so-called writer, s
cramp. Not only does DR.. Bates challenge all
current theories of this painful malady, but
he proffers for it a remedy of the utmost
simplicity.
According to him it is not merely prolong-
ed overuse or misuse of muscles that causes
the cramp which SO often incapacitates writ
ers, pianiSts, stenOgraphers, telegraphers,
seamstresses and others who have to make
much use of their hands. Nor will DR.. Bates
concede that the mental attitude toward ones
work is largely responsible for the cramp1ng
- view widely held today.
Instead, he finds that what is chiefly to
blame is a faulty postural habit, not while
at work, but when resting from work. People
who suffer from writer's Cramp, he says are
people who, in addition to occupational use
of their hands, habitually sleep with cramp-
ing pressure on their hands.
To this belief DR.. Bates was first brought
by chance experience arising from his prac-
tice as an eye specialist.
A patient whoR: he had successfully treated
for some eye trouble, court stenographer,
came back to him one day to ask his advice
regarding an attack of writer's cramp that
threatened to deprive him of livelihood. The
patient, it appeared, had consulted a nerve
specialist, who had prescribed absolute rest
as one means of cure.
why should have to rest when l have short
working day and through only few months
in the year. Besides, | have as much pain
in my left hand and 1 do not take notes with
that.
Another thing, the pain is always worse
the first thing in the morning, and wears
away a bit after l have been at work for a
time. l therefore cannot see how rest would
really benefit me-"
Impressed by the remark as to the early
morning pain, DR.. Bates suggested that the
patient have his wife observe how he held his
hands during sleep 1t was then discovered
that he slept with both hands under his head.
Precautions were taken to prevent his doing
this, and in little while his writer's cramp
was gone.
In another case cited by DR.. Bates a teleg-
rapher was cured when she overcame habit
Of sleeping with her right hand under her
cheek. In a third case, violinist victim of
cramp was found to sleep in an attitude SINH
lar to that of the stenographer, and again
cure followed a change in the sleeping
posture.
DR.. Bates, indeed, concludes with the en-
phatic declaration:
81 have never known a case Of occupation
al cramp that did not yield to this simple
treatment. And, in addition to those I have
cured myself, many others have been cured
by cured patients"
The fact remains, of course, that many
persons afflicted with writer's cramp and
other "occupatiOnal neuroses have been
cured by other MEANS particularly treatment
by rest and psychotherapy. But quite evil
IDENTIFY there is a numerous class of cramp
victims who need only the easily applied
remedy hit upon by DR., Bates
1t is in the hope of helping these that I
give publicity to his Medical Record COM
munication.
Copyright, 1921, by The Associated News
paperS)