The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-10-12
PAREsIs AND ADMISSIONS MAKE MANY
 UNNECESSARY CRIPPLCS

What have to say about adhesons is of
 general application, and hope readers will not write to me about their indivtdual cases. for there Is no advice can oner. Adhesions that cause trouble are mainly due to too much rest, too much coddling too pro- longed splinting, ill-advised wearing or braces, ing or neglect of the exercise, use or activities advised by the physician. We'll anyway, eXer. cises or work or use hypothetically prescribed by the physician.
 want to be fair acknowledge that phys
 icans are sometimes unskilled and hence negligent in the application of modern princi-
 pies in practice. one stii mas uhtof.uha,e cor. nn . individuals carrying arms in splints Tor long
 weeks after the broken bone has Knit or De,
 come united by calus. This Is an antiquated custom which Is no longer followed by physi- clans or surgeons who are well trained. In most
 cases today the competent physician or surgeon
 removes all splints or bandages ron ron the the broken bone 24 hours or at least within the first few days after the injury, to see that con ditions are all right and to begin gentle mani
 pulation, which he repeats daily Tor the hrs, few weeks, massaging and moving the injured member gradually more and more day by day. He leaves the splints off altogether in three
 weeks, more or less, and in most fractures thus treated the patients are using the injured mem- bers quite freely by the end Of the month. only whom there are special complications need the disability by prolonged as was the rule Tn old time practice. The purpose of splints is not to hold the broken fragments together The muscles, liga : ments and other soft tissues around the set of
 
 is simply to give the muscles rest. A reasonable amount of rest Is fine for an injured member that Is, where the injury IS severe. Ordinary slight sprains are often best treated by immediate active use Of the injured member with a tight bandage or perhaps a | boot laced on for support More severe sprains are better treated with rest, splnts' TOT rev days.
 Unduly prolonged rest weakens the muscles. Not only that, but weakens the circulation, the nutrition, and hence impairs the healing pro- cess, retards healing.
 It is because the modern physician and sur geon insists on early resumption of function
 that fractures heal better under his treatment than they did in the old days of weeks of me- gect in splints.
 As I admit, there are still few physicians in practice who follow the old traditions and have no knowledge or experience in modern methods, As long as such old timers (and
 some of them are young in years) remain In
 practice certain proportion Of victims or sim. adhesions and paresis due to unskilled treat ment.
 But it is good to observe that in a large ma iority of cases, uncomplicated fractures today leave no serious disablity-thanks to more sensible management
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Stature
 Heard that a gland treatment would increase
 height. I am 18 years old and less than 6S Answer-Well. son. in certain cases it will but only person can safely or effectively
 give you such treatment. and that Is your own physician Beware of charlatans or mai-order fakers who offer gland" treatment for this or any other purpose.
 Come Back, old 'uns About three years ago believe you gave us a series of articles on rejuvenatiOn or at least preventing premature old age. (Mrs l.. Q. E.) Answer--The gist of them will be found in the booklet The Regeneration Regimen" which you may have on request. incosing q dime and stamped envelope bearing your eor- rect address.