The New York herald., 1922-07-09


is developed midway between the
plates. IL they are Of equal size. This
intense local heat dilates the tiny
blood vessels supplying the injured
part, thinning their walls. and greatly
increasing the amount of blood serum,
rich in repair material, which bathes
the injured cells.
This is the only means at our COM
mand which will bring about a marked
increase In the local blood supply to
the deeper lying parts. 1t is simple
to understand that where double or
triple the amount OF repair material
can be brought to an injured part the
recovery time must be greatly short
ened. A proper diather1ny can only
be obtained from a well built machine.
Apparatus combining diathermy and
the simple high frequency current
equipped with the meter and deliver
ing a satisfactory quality and amount
Of current can be obtained for as little
as $3.50. These machines are portable
in type, which adds to their useful
ness.
Static The mechanical currents
are useful In removing blood and
lymph from a swollen bruised muscle
after all bleeding has stopped. The
interrupted galvanic. sinusoidal or
faradic current may be used for this
purpose, inducing strong muscular
contractions and thereby mechanically
squeexing out the surplus lymph.
Static with diathermy is the most USE
full of all of the electric currents. IT
Is expensive in both space and money
to install. and it has at times, along
with the other currents been ex-
plotted by those unframed in it's proper
uses. Nothing will so quickly remove
excessive lymph from swollen muscle
as the Morton wave current from a
good static machine.
In the treatment of more local SWELL
ings within the tendon sheathes and
around joints. as, for example, IN
sprains without rupture Of the liga-
ments, static sparks are very efficient.
The relief Of pain and the reduction
Of these swellings is at times almost
magical In selected cases by the
proper application of sparks. A more
gentle and soothing surface applica-
tion may be secured by the static
brush or effluve. In general static
follows radiant light and heat and
diathermy.
Massage--Massage Is the manipu-
lation of the soft tissues, aimed at the
restoration Of function. The four
main movements used are stroking,
pinchink or kneading, backing or slap
ping and frictions. Not only a knowl-
edge Of the proper mechanics Of these
movements Is necessary but a thor
ough medical knowledge as well for
the proper use Of massage in injury
In fact, medical supervision should and
must be insisted upon wherever ply
siotherapy is to be applied.
Stroking is used to aid in the re.
moval of the Emphatic stasis, which
always accompanies sprains and
bruises. Efforts should first be di-
rected to clearing out the lymphatic
drainage above the, part injured.
Stroking. when properly done. is
soothing and quieting and almost con.
stantly employed in treatment
Pinching and kneading is used to
mechanically remove deep seated
swelling and to break up adhesions
between muscle fibers. It is espe-
cially/ useful in aiding the return of
muscle tone where this is diminished
or lost through disuse. following frac-
lures
Hacking is employed mainly on
heavy groups of muscles that maH
have become knotted up.
Frictions. done. largely with the
finger tips. are employed to break up
adhesions around joints and to soften
scar tissue. y.
Mechanical vibration may be used in
the later stages, especially of bruises
and here, too. the only satisfactory
machines are the larger ones. de-
livering a long stroke powerful vibra-
tion.
SpIints. Straps, &C.. Are
Early Removed and Replaced
Let me again emphasize the fact
that nothing in the hitherto routine
medical or surgical care is interfered
with by the additional use of physio-
therapy, except that splints, supports,
strapping. &C.. are more early re-
moved for treatment and then re-
placed
1t should be understood that in
physiotherapy we are dealing with