The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-11-19
PULLING THE LEG OF THE SCIATICA PATIENT

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 The sciatic nerve extends from the lower part of the spinal cord down back of the hip joint deep in the buttock and through the back of the thigh to the leg and foot. As those who have had sciatica will readily believe, it is the largest nerve in the body, being nearly as broad and half as thick as your thumb. It supplies sensation to the hip joint, motion to the large mus cles of thigh and leg and sensation to the skin of thigh and leg.
 sciatica is pain in this nerve, whether due to inflammation of the nerve (neuritis) or to some irrita- ton of the nerve as by pressure upon it or strain or functional fa- tgue (neuralgia).
 Of course there is no such condi- ton as "sciatic rheumatism"--that is merely a name to give the trouble when you don't know what is the matter.
 Strain, sprain or weakness and relaxation of the sacroiliac junction, skipped innominate" as the osteo- paths called 1t before we regulars got onto 1t, gives rise to symptoms frequently mistaken for sciatica. This should be ruled out by special test in the preliminary examination.
 Sciatic neritis is comparatively rare. It may occur from general toxemia from alcohol, lead, arsenic, or from diabetes or syphilis; some- times from pressure on the nerve by tumor within the pelvis. Treat- ment depends on the cause of neur- its.
 Infection of normal salt solution or other medicines into the sciatic nerve trunk or into the space aruond it has given prolonged and grateful relief in many cases Of sci- atic neuritis.
 | Sciatic neuralgia generally calls for REST as the paramount renl- edy. Not just sitting or lying about. but rest in bed with the limb of the affected side in extension, either the familiar Bucks extension or better Hodgen's suspension, for Q period of a week, more or less.
 Then when the pain subsidies and muscle spasm relaxes and the dis. tortion of posture or relations of the leg and body or spine and pel- wis and femur becomes normal, either a well fitted corset or plaster cast or 8 wide sacro-iliac belt or girdle may be applied for support and the patient instructed in gard- uated exercises to restore the nor- nal support whic hhas been lost from insufficiency of the muscles. While the patient is having his leg pulled heat in one form or ai1- other, or diathermy, and medication may be combined with the correc- tional orthopedic treatment.
 This method of treatment has proved especially successful in cases where the trouble is of grad- ual onset, the patient nervous" or perhaps branded "neurasthenic" under nervous strain, and subject to backaches and leg pains when UlTGQ UT WOKA OuU 4AAS 4NAASAeAAe~A tai factor in these cases is fatigue and muscular insufficiency.
 Not a bad plan to keep up your Third Brady Symphony practice, ladies and gentlemen leading strenuous lives. You escape a lot 4 of ailments by keeping fit. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | Shan aa Authentic
 Interested in your article on use of soap as dressing for septic wounds. We have been using boric acid wet dressings with satisfac- ton, for infected wounds. Is soap better in your opinion? (Mrs. E. H. Al
 Answer-Yes. I should prefer a large hot wet dressing of soapy water-ordinary toilet soap and boiled water, used to keep wet the dressing of many yards of gauge or absorbent cotton-changing the dressing only when 1t is evidently soiled.
 Whites of Eyes
 I have Ben Told when the whites of your eyes look yellow you have either kidney or liver trouble. :. (R. R9
 Answer-As 8 general rule a yel- ] low or sallow tinge has no such