The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-15
MUSCLE RTGTDTTY AND
 MITS(I EI ArCTnTT

MUSCLE RIGIDITY AND
 MUSCLE FLACCIDITY
 Certain individuals who have well developed or even overdeveloped muscles are subject to peculiar rtgidity of certain muscles which occurs on attempting any sudden movement or action. They are "muscle-bound." Ordinarily the term muscle bound" means merely that inelasticity and slowness or clumsiness of movement which re- suits from hypertrophy of muscles from excessive exercise or from constant exertion of strength-such as weight-lifting feats.
 The rigidity or spasmodic tension of muscles to which we refer is a condition that runs in families. It is sometimes called Thomsen's dis ease, because a Dr. Thomsen first described numerous instances '- his own family. The medical name for it is myotonia, which means muscle tone or tension. The condition is really not disease, for 1t does not progress or in any way affect health; 1t is rather peculiarity. Although there is an increased me- chanical excitability of the muscles, and the muscular rigidity or tense- ness increases with excitement, there is no increased excitability or irritability of nerves; in fact there is generally diminished excitability of nerves.
 Myotonia is nearly If not quite opposite to a more distressing mal- ady known as myasthenia, which means weakness and quick fatiga- bility of muscles. In myasthenia the individual may have difficulty in chewing. in swallowing or in speak ing-acts which quickly tire the muscles and become impossible of repetition until a rest restores, in some degree, the power to function. Characteristic of many cases of myasthenia IS the pathetic express sion due to dropping eyelids and sagging of all the facial lines, to- gether with the patients inability to smile. In most instances the first muscles to manifest increased fatig- ability are those used In focusing the eyes and when these muscles tire the patient has blurring of vision and later perhaps diplopia tdouble vision). Along with this there is generally some ptosis or dropping of the upper eyelids ana evidently inability of the patient to open the eyes widely. The facial expression or lack of it, together with the great weakness of certain muscles or fiab- biness of all mucles sometimes leads to the suspicion of melancholia or other pychoneurosis, but as rule the patients mind is perfectly clear and normal, aside from the l;orry or anxiety any one might feel from such a condition.
 In recent years new medicine, prostigmin, has given highly satis- factory results in myasthenia. The effect of single dose (by hypo- dermic injection) IS extraordinary, restoring nearly or quite normal function to the affected muscles, but this effect wears of after 8 few hours. There Is no harm in repeat ing the dose two or three times day--in some cases such plan of treatment restores the patient to active life, puts him or her back on the job.
 For the amelioration of the ex- cesslve rigidity or spasm of mus cles in myotonia an old familiar medicine, taken in pill or tablet by mouth, has been found as effective as prostigmin is for myasthenia. Two or three grains of quinine sul- phate after food three times day will overcome the muscular rigidity in myotonia.
 In any case where two or three grams of quinine two or three times a day (for the adult weighing 150 pounds), or less in proportion with weight for a lighter or younger per- son, seems to give relief or benefit, there is no reason why 1t cannot be continued for two or three months