Osteopathy Complete
Elmer D. Barber, D. O.
1898
CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES
SYPHILIS
(A contagious constitutional disease. May be acquired or congenital.)
SYMPTOMS
Acquired syphilis is characterized (1) by the initial
lesion, or chancre, which appears usually in a week after contagion; (2)
by a period of incubation generally lasting six weeks, but varying from
one to three months; febrile symptoms, many forms of skin eruptions, ulcers
on the tonsils; adenitis, wart-like growths about the anus, iritis, retinitis,
and loss of hair; (4) after an interval of from several months to twenty
years by the so-called "tertiary phenomena."
TREATMENT
Syphilitic conditions are not treated successfully
by osteopaths, except in the chronic form, when a thorough General
Treatment which softens and stretches the muscles, frees the circulation,
and equalizes the forces of the body, is often very beneficial.
GENERAL DEBILITY
While we cannot roll back the vale of years,
we propose to prove to our friends in advanced life that we can
at least make them feel quite young again. In old age the
muscles, arteries, and, in fact, all the organs, are prone to ossify.
The muscles become contracted and stiff, thus interfering with the
free flow of blood, and limy deposits form around the joints.
It is but reasonable and natural that our General Treatment, which
stretches and frees all the muscles, ligaments, and joints, causing
the blood to run faster and the heart to beat stronger, would be
especially applicable. It has been tested and proven times,
without number, and we feel that we can safely assert without fear
of contradiction that our General Treatment with the aged and infirm
never has failed to give gratifying results, and never will.
We will mention in this connection the case of a
gentleman eighty-one years of age, of Miami, Indian Territory, in whom
the machinery of life had nearly run down. His sons, hearing of some
of our rather remarkable cures, brought the old man in, much against his
will, for treatment. He was carried into our office, and laid upon
the table. After an examination, we pronounced the case hopeless,
as we did not think there was enough vitality left to respond to the treatment
and once more resume control of the machinery of life. However, we
administered a General Treatment, and were as much surprised as his sons
to see the old gentleman get up and walk down stairs unassisted.
In three weeks he was restored to health and threw away the cane he had
carried for thirty years. Being a man of
undoubted veracity and well known throughout the Indian Territory and southern
Kansas, his seemingly miraculous restoration to health through this method
gave us quite an enviable reputation through that section of the country.
Sometimes, when weary and annoyed by many questions put to him regarding
our method, he would tell the people that he was no walking advertisement
That the young may as well as the old can be
benefited by this General Treatment has been proved in numerous
instances, after all other known methods have failed. One
case we will mention is that of a child eighteen months old.
Her cold, emaciated limbs, and the eruptions on her face and neck
and in the ears, told too plainly to be misunderstood the story
of contracted muscles and of stagnant blood. Although the
little sufferer was so low that her case seemed almost hopeless,
she was cured in four treatments, given every second day, and is
now a healthy child.
ACUTE
ARTICULAR RHEUMATISM, OR RHEUMATIC FEVER
(Acute rheumatism. Specific inflammation of the joints and their
contiguous structures, with
pain and swelling.)
SYMPTOMS
Acute rheumatism is usually ushered in with fever
and inflammation about one or more of the larger joints, the shoulder,
elbow, knee, or ankle usually being first affected. Exposed joints
appear to be more prone to attacks than those that are covered, the larger
more frequently than the smaller, and the small joints of the hand more
frequently than those of the feet. The affected joints are swollen,
surrounded by a rose-colored blush, and acutely painful; the pain has many
degrees of intensity, generally abates somewhat in the day, but is aggravated
at night, and in all cases is increased by pressure, so that the touch
of the nurse or weight of the bedclothes can scarcely be borne. Also
some or all of the following symptoms: Loss of appetite; chilliness; urine
scanty, high-colored, and abnormally acid; copious, acid, and pungent perspiration.
CAUSE
Rheumatism is caused in the lower extremity by a
contraction of the muscles of the thigh, obstructing either the femoral,
iliac, or long saphenous veins; in the upper extremity by contraction of
the muscles of the shoulder, obstructing either the brachial, axillary,
or subclavian veins. As the waters of a river, if obstructed between
high, strong banks, may not cause any particular trouble at that point,
but will back up, flooding the lower country, so this river of blood, while
causing no great inconvenience at the obstruction, backs up, distending
the smaller veins and capillaries. The heart, still pumping, finally
feels the pressure, and we have rheumatism of the heart, while the stagnant
blood soon becomes feverish, and we have inflammatory rheumatism, first
below and finally above the obstruction. Laying aside all prejudice
and skepticism, and looking at the matter from an unbiased and common-sense
standpoint, would it not be as sensible to throw medicine into the river
to remove the cause of a flood and to put it into the stomach to free the
obstructed vein?
If we may be permitted to once more refer to the
anatomy, we will turn to the stomach and endeavor to follow a dose of medicine
on its journey from the stomach to its destination at the femoral or saphenous
vein, first asserting, however, that the same quantity of the same medicine
never has the same effect twice on the same individual, from the fact that
the stomach is never found twice in exactly the same condition, containing
as it does different foods in different stages of digestion. Thus
your doctor must begin by guessing what to give and how much to give, and
continue guessing until you accidentally stretch the contracted muscle
and commence to recover, and then he guesses that his medicine did the
work. There will be no guesswork, however, in tracing, the medicine
from the stomach and asserting what portion (if any) reaches the affected
part. Passing from the mouth through the esophagus, it first reaches
the cardiac end of the stomach. While in the mouth the gastric juice
commences to flow, and is greatly increased by the time the drug gets to
the stomach. Being kept in motion in a large quantity of liquid,
in from fifteen to thirty minutes it reaches the pyloric orifice of the
stomach and is emptied into the duodenum, where it is mixed with the pancreatic
juice from the pancreas and the bile from the liver. As these juices,
together with the gastric juice of the stomach, are capable of changing
the entire character of almost any substance on which they are allowed
to act, it is not only possible, but probable, that they also change the
character of the drug to a greater or less extent, thus adding to the system
of guessing indulged in by the medical practitioner. The duodenum
and upper portion of the small intestine are lined with a velvety substance,
termed villi, which, immediately upon the entrance of the substance into
the intestine, passes all particles of richness through the walls of the
intestine into the thoracic duct, permitting all refuse matter to pass
on to the rectum. It is possible that here a goodly portion of the
drug is refused by the villi, and is passed with the feces; a portion,
however has reached the thoracic duct. The thoracic duct conveys
the great mass of lymph and chyle into the blood. It varies in length
from fifteen to eighteen inches in the adult, and extends from the second
lumbar vertebra to the root of the neck; it commences in the abdomen by
a triangular dilatation, the receptaculum chyli, which is situated upon
the front of the body of the second lumbar vertebra, to the right side
and behind the aorta; it ascends into the thorax through the aortic opening
in the diaphragm, opposite the last dorsal vertebra; it inclines toward
the left side and ascends behind the arch of the aorta to the left side
of the esophagus, and behind the first portion of the left subclavian artery
to the upper orifice of the thorax, opposite the seventh cervical vertebra;
it now curves outward and then downward over the subclavian artery, and
terminates in the left subclavian vein.
We will now follow what remains of our drug through
the thoracic duct and into the subclavian vein in the neck, opposite the
seventh cervical vertebra. It next passes into the innominate artery,
which empties into the superior vena cava, through which it reaches the
heart, and is immediately pumped through the pulmonary artery into the
lungs, from which it is conveyed through the pulmonary veins back to the
heart, from where it is distributed equally to all parts of the system.
How much (if any) ever reaches the contracted muscle it will indeed be
difficult to determine.
In discussing this subject we are reminded of the
story of an Irishman with rheumatism; his physician wrote him a prescription
and instructed him to rub it on. The Irishman, in his ignorance,
rubbed his leg with the paper, and he was immediately relieved; thus demonstrating
that there is more virtue in the rubbing advised than in the liniments
themselves.
Now, believing that our readers will understand
our reasons for taking the position that man is a machine and should be
treated accordingly, especially in rheumatic troubles, we will return to
the treatment of this disease when located in the lower extremities.
TREATMENT
Lower Extremity.
1. Place the patient on the back; grasping
the ankle firmly with the right hand (should the right limb be affected),
place the left on the knee and flex the limb slowly and gently as far as
possible without too much suffering, rotating it gently from right to left;
extend the leg, and it will be found that it can be returned to its former
position with apparent ease; bend it now another inch and straighten.
2. Place one hand on each side of the thigh,
close to the body, and with a firm pressure move all the muscles from right
to left and from left to right (cut 29) the entire length of the limb,
very gently at first, but stronger as the patient becomes used to the treatment.
3. Grasping the foot, pull slowly, at the
same time rotating the limb, using as much strength as the patient can
stand.
4. Place the patient on the side; beginning
at the first lumbar vertebra, with the fingers close to the spine, move
the muscles upward and outward down as low as the lower border of the sacrum.
This treatment should be given every other day,
and, if care is taken, it need not be very painful, and will certainly
cure the most acute case of inflammatory rheumatism in from two to six
weeks.
Of the numerous cases cured by us, we will mention
that of a gentleman at Webb City, Missouri, who had been given up by the
medical doctors and in whose case the rheumatism not only extended the
entire length of the spinal column and right limb, but was felt perceptibly
in the heart. Ten days after the first treatment was given he walked
without his crutches, and in six weeks resumed his usual vocation, entirely
cured.
Another gentleman of the same city, whose right
limb was double its natural size from this disease, was cured in five days.
Founded as it is upon common sense and scientific
principles, this system of treatment, if properly administered is absolutely
infallible.
Upper Extremity.
1. Raise the arm as high and strongly as
possible, but slowly, above the head. With the thumb of the
disengaged hand (beginning at the upper border of the scapula) press
upward on the muscles between the scapula and spine, while raising
the arm (cut 10).
Lower the arm with a backward motion, move the thumb down an inch,
and again in raise the arm, repeating until the lower border of
the scapula is reached.
2. Place one hand on the shoulder, pushing
the muscles toward its point; with the other grasp the patient's
elbow, and, while pressing hard with both hands, move the arm forward
and upward around the head (cut
30).
3. Grasp the arm with one hand close to the
shoulder; with the other hold the arm from turning and move the muscles
from right to left and from left to right the entire length of the arm.
4. Stretch the arm, pulling slowly but very
strongly.
5. Should the seat of pain be located beneath
the trapezium in the upper dorsal region, place two fingers of the right
hand beneath the trapezium muscle, just above the clavicle (in case the
trouble is in the right shoulder); the right forearm of the patient should
rest upon the forearm of the operator, near the bend of the elbow; the
left hand of the operator should be placed upon and just below the scapula
of the patient, who should be in a sitting position. The patient
should be instructed to relax all muscles as much as possible; the operator
with his left hand should now throw the scapula as far upward and forward
as possible, at the same instant pressing, very deep with the fingers of
the right hand, under the trapezium muscle and over the clavicle; also,
with the right elbow, bring the patient's arm forward, upward, and outward
with a circular motion.
This treatment not only cures any form of rheumatism,
but paralysis and various forms of blood disorders in that member.
Entire System.
When inflammatory rheumatism extends over the entire
system, the spinal column as well as the extremities should be treated.
1. Place the patient on the side; using
the arm as a lever (see
cut 7), beginning, with the fingers at the base of the neck,
close to the spine, move the muscles upward and outward the entire
length of the spinal column.
2. Place one hand under the chin, the other
under the back of the head; have an assistant take the feet, and pull steadily
as hard as the patient can stand.
It is indeed surprising how quickly a patient responds
to this treatment.
SUBACUTE ARTICULAR RHEUMATISM
(Milder in degree than the ordinary form, but more persistent; one
or more joints may be affected.)
TREATMENT
Same
as the acute form.
CHRONIC ARTICULAR RHEUMATISM
(Pain or stiffness in one or more joints, or in their contiguous tissues;
most frequently in
the shoulder or knee.)
SYMPTOMS
This sometimes follows the acute form, at other
times coming on quite independently of any previous attack; in time the
affected limbs lose their power of motion, and lameness results, the hip
and knee joints being most often affected; sometimes there is emaciation
of the muscles; sometimes permanent contraction of a limb, or bony stiffness
of the joints; pain more or less constant; worse in damp weather or approaching
storm; not much tenderness; rarely any swelling or elevation of temperature;
joints frequently crack or grate on motion. This form of the disease
is the result of the uncured acute form. It may be limited to one
part of the body, or extend to several, and may be fixed or shifting.
TREATMENT
See
Acute Articular Rheumatism.
Particular care should be taken to knead and manipulate
the muscles deeply and thoroughly around any and all joints affected.
The operator should be very particular in flexing said joints as much as
possible without giving pain, flexing them a little further at each successive
treatment.
Treatment will occupy fifteen or twenty minutes,
according to the number of joints involved, and should be given every other
day.
ACUTE MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM
(Rheumatism involving the muscles.)
SYMPTOMS
Onset sudden, or first noticed on attempting to
rise in the morning; catching, tearing,, or burning pain on attempting
to bend or move; no joints affected.
TREATMENT
Treat the muscles as in Acute
Articular Rheumatism, being very particular to knead and manipulate
very thoroughly.
Treatment should be given each day. Immediate
relief will follow the first treatment, and a speedy cure may be expected.
CHRONIC MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM
(Continuation of the acute form.)
SYMPTOMS
They are very similar to those of Chronic Articular
Rheumatism, except that the muscles, and not the joints, are involved.
TREATMENT
See
Acute Articular Rheumatism.
Very thorough manipulation of the muscles in the
affected parts, together with flexion and extension of the extremities,
should be given. Treatment should be given every other day.
TORTICOLLIS, WRYNECK, OR STIFF NECK
(A form of muscular rheumatism involving the cervical muscles, which
draws the head
toward the affected side.)
SYMPTOMS
Head drawn and fixed to one side; the sterno-cleido
mastoid muscle is especially rigid and tender on pinching; may also involve
the trapezium and oplenius.
TREATMENT
1. Place the patient on the side; beginning
at the occipital bone, move the muscles upward and outwardly gently but
very deep, as low as the last dorsal vertebra. Treat the opposite
side in a similar manner.
2. Manipulate the contracted muscle very thoroughly
and deep.
3. Place one hand under the chin, the other
under the occipital, giving gentle extension and rotation, endeavoring
to stretch as much as possible the muscles at fault. This treatment
is very beneficial even in chronic cases.
Treatment should be given every other day; and will
occupy about ten minutes.
SCIATICA, OR SCIATIC RHEUMATISM
(Neuralgia of the hip and thigh.)
Sciatic rheumatism may be caused either by a pressure
on the nerve itself in or near the thigh, or in the spine at the origin
of the nerves that form the sacral plexus, of which the great sciatic nerve
is a continuation.
TREATMENT
1. Flex the leg (with one hand grasping the
ankle, the other resting on the knee) as far as possible toward the chest,
slowly but strongly.
2. Extend the leg, turning the knee in, the
foot out.
3. With one hand on each side of the thigh,
move all the muscles from right to left and vice versa, very deep
(cut 29).
4. Place the patient on the side; beginning
at the last dorsal vertebra, with the fingers close to the spine, move
the muscles upward and outward from the spine to the end of the sacrum.
This treatment will cure the most stubborn cases
of sciatic rheumatism in from six weeks to three months.
LUMBAGO
(Rheumatic pain in the loins; neuralgia affecting the small of the
back.) Lumbago, which may be traced to many different causes, can
be invariably cured by our method; acute cases almost instantly, and chronic
cases of many years' standing by a continuation of the treatment.
TREATMENT
1. Place the patient on the side; using
the limb as a lever (cut
31), with the fingers close to the spine, commencing a little
above the last lumbar vertebra, move the muscles up and out from
the spine with each upward motion of the limb.
2. Extend the limb, move the hands down one
inch, and repeat until the lower part of the sacrum is reached.
3. Place the patient on the back; grasping
the ankle, flex one limb after the other as far as possible toward
the chest, thus stretching the muscles of the back (cut
32).
4. Place the patient on the face; with the
thumbs on each side of the spine, beginning at the second lumbar vertebra,
press rather hard, moving the muscles upward; move the thumbs down one
inch, and repeat until you have reached the second sacral vertebra; being,
very careful to work thoroughly and deeply on each side of and a little
below the last lumbar vertebra, as it is here the trouble is usually found.
Here also is found the seat of kidney disease and
female troubles. It is noticeable in those cases that the patient
usually has a weak back, and it has been demonstrated beyond the shadow
of a doubt that, working on these principles, not only the back, but the
accompanying disorders, can be entirely cured.
Of the many cases of lumbago treated by us, we will
mention that of a gentleman of Baxter Springs, Kansas. He was assisted
into our office, and told how, ten years before he was afflicted in a similar
manner, being, bedfast for six months and on crutches two years.
We gave him a treatment, not occupying over two minutes and curing him
instantly.
We might also mention the case of a gentleman of
Neutral, Kansas, cured by us in two weeks, after having been given up by
the medical fraternity.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, OR RHEUMATIC GOUT
(Inflammation of the joints, resulting in deformity. May be acute
or chronic.)
SYMPTOMS
Acute stage is similar to Acute Articular Rheumatism,
and may extend to fingers and toes. Chronic stage, joints tender
and painful, slightly swollen, numbness and tingling; progressive, with
occasional remissions. More common in females.
TREATMENT
See
Acute Articular Rheumatism.
ACUTE GOUT
(A specific arthritis, characterized by uric acid in the blood, and
deposit of sodium urate in the joints.)
SYMPTOMS
Colicky pains in the stomach and bowels; diarrhea
alternating with constipation; urine scanty and heavily loaded; usually
attacks the great toe, which becomes hot,, red, and swollen.
TREATMENT
1. Place the patient on the side; beginning at the
upper cervicals, move the muscles upward and outward, thoroughly and deep,
the entire length of the spine, being very particular in the region of
the splanchnic nerves and in the lumbar region. Treat the opposite
side in a similar manner.
2. Place the patient on the face; the thumbs
of the operator on each side of the spinal column at the second lumbar
vertebra, an assistant raises the limbs, (1) drawing them toward the operator
on a level with the table, then (2) up as far as the patient can stand,
then (3) carrying them back until they are parallel with the table, the
operator pressing hard with his thumbs upon the second lumbar; (4) the
limbs should now be lowered, the thumbs placed upon the third lumbar, and
the operation repeated, until the fourth lumbar has been treated in a similar
manner. This treatment should only be given in case of diarrhea.
In case of constipation knead and manipulate
the bowels. See Constipation.
3. Flex the affected limb, slowly, but strongly,
giving strong abduction of the knee as the limb is extended; manipulate
the muscles the entire length of the limb, deeply and thoroughly, being
very particular in the region of the inflamed and swollen joint.
4. Place the hand under the patient's chin;
draw the head backward, rotating it from side to side; manipulate thoroughly
all the muscles in the front and sides of the neck. This treatment,
which frees and stimulates the pneumogastric nerve, together with strong
treatment over the splanchnic nerves in the spine, tends to equalize the
action of the alimentary canal.
Treatment will occupy about fifteen minutes, and
should be given each day, until recovery.
CHRONIC GOUT
(Results from repeated attacks of the acute form.)
SYMPTOMS
Deformity of affected joints, about which are deposits
of sodium urate.
TREATMENT
See Acute Gout.
Treatment should be given every other day.
SCROFULA (CALLED ALSO KING’S EVIL)
(A morbid constitutional condition, having tubercle bacillus, associated
with inflammation, caseation, and suppuration of the lymph glands; generally
hereditary; predisposing the system to development
of glandular tumors degenerating into ulcers; also to mesenteric and
pulmonary consumption.)
SYMPTOMS
Similar to Lymphadenoma, and in addition the glands
and surrounding connective tissues are inflamed, hot and tender to the
touch, and adherent to the skin; cervical glands usually first involved.
TREATMENT
1. Manipulate gently, but very thoroughly
and deep, the muscles and glands in the affected region.
2. See General Treatment, using such parts
thereof, to free and stimulate the circulation through the entire
system, as conditions would indicate.
Treatment should be given every other day, and occupy
fifteen or twenty minutes.
MYXEDEMA
(A cretinoid disease, due to affection of the thyroid gland, with mucus
in the connective, tissue; chiefly affecting women, rarely men or children.)
SYMPTOMS
Thyroid gland diminishes; swelling of the face,
arms, and legs; memory enfeebled; heart enfeebled; movements clumsy; appetite
and nutrition impaired.
TREATMENT
This disease can be greatly benefited by a thorough
General Treatment, occupying fifteen to twenty minutes, every other
day, to equalize the circulation and stimulate the digestive organs.
GENERAL TREATMENT
1. Place the patient on the side; beginning
at the upper cervicals, move the muscles upward and outward) gently but
very deep, the entire length of the spinal column, being very particular
in all regions which appear tender to the touch, have an abnormal temperature,
or where the muscles seem to be in a knotty, cord-like, or contracted condition.
Treat the opposite side in a similar manner.
2. With the patient on the back, place the
hand lightly over the following organs, vibrating each two minutes, respectively:
lungs, stomach, liver, pancreas, and kidneys.
3. Flex the lower limbs, one at a time, against
the abdomen, abducting the knee, and adducting the foot, strongly as the
limb is extended with a light jerk.
4. Grasping the limb around the thigh with
both hands (cut
29), move the muscles very deeply from side to side the entire
length of the limb. Treat the opposite limb in a similar manner.
5. Place one hand upon patient's shoulder,
pressing the muscles down toward the point of the acromion process;
with the disengaged hand grasp the patient's elbow, rotating the
arm around the head (cut
30).
6. Holding the arm firmly with one hand, with
the other rotate the muscles very deep the entire length of the arm, also
grasp the hand, placing the disengaged hand under the axilla, and give
strong, extension. Treat the opposite arm in a similar manner.
7. Place one hand under the chin, the other
under the occipital, and give gentle but strong extension (cut
8).
8. Place one hand under the chin, drawing
the head backward and to the side; with the disengaged hand manipulate
the muscles which are thrown upon a strain. Treat the opposite side
in a similar manner. Also manipulate, thoroughly and deep, the muscles
in front of the neck.
9. Place the patient upon a stool; the operator
placing the thumbs upon the angles of the second ribs, an assistant raising
the arms slowly but strongly above the head as the patient inhales; press
hard with the thumbs as the arms are lowered with a backward motion, patient
relaxing all muscles and permitting elbows to bend; move the thumbs down
to the next lower ribs; raise the arms as before; and repeat, until the
fifth pair of ribs have been treated in a similar manner.
10. In all cases of fever hold the vaso-motor
center (cut 13).
11. In cases of diarrhea place the patient
face down while pressing hard upon the first lumbar vertebra, raise the
limbs slowly but strongly as far as patient can stand; press also upon
the second, third, and fourth lumbar, raising the limbs in a similar manner.
In severe cases of diarrhea it is also well to vibrate the bowels two minutes.
12. In cases of constipation No. 11 should
be omitted, and the Constipation Treatment be substituted.
HEMOPHILIA (SPONTANEOUS BLEEDING)
(A hereditary morbid condition, characterized by tendency to excessive
bleeding from
the slightest wounds.)
SYMPTOMS
Slight scratches, wounds, or extraction of teeth
are followed by severe hemorrhages.
Not treated by osteopaths.
SIMPLE GOITER
(Enlargement of the thyroid gland.)
EXPLANATORY
The thyroid gland bears much resemblance in structure
to other glandular organs, and was formerly classified together with the
thymus, suprarenal capsules, and spleen, under the head of ductless glands,
since, when fully developed, it has no excretory duct. The thyroid
varies in weight from one to two ounces. It is larger in the female
than in the male, and slightly increases in size during menstruation.
It is situated at the upper part of the trachea, and consists of two lateral
lobes, placed one on each side of that tube and connected by a narrow transverse
portion, the isthmus. The arteries supplying the thyroid are the
superior and inferior thyroid, and sometimes a branch from the innominate
artery or arch of the aorta. The arteries are remarkable for their
large size and frequent anastomosis; the veins form a plexus on the surface
of the gland and on the front of the trachea, from which rise the superior,
middle, and inferior thyroid veins. The two former terminate in the
internal jugular, the latter in the innominate vein.
CAUSE
The thyroid gland is subject to enlargement, which
is called goiter. For the relief of these growths various operations
have been resorted to, such as the injection of tincture of iodine or perchloride
of iron, ligature of the thymus, and extirpation of a part or the whole
of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland having an unusually large
blood supply, it is but reasonable to suppose that an obstruction to its
veins would necessitate an enlargement of the gland, or goiter. It
is equally reasonable that if the obstruction is removed, the goiter will
soon be taken up by absorption and disappear. Acting on these principles,
we have cured many goiters. It will be observed that the clavicle
is not nearly as prominent in people troubled with goiter as in those not
afflicted with this disease. The contracting muscles and depressed
clavicle, which are obstructing the escape of the blood from the thyroid
gland, cause goiter. Raising the clavicle and stretching these muscles
cures goiter, thus proving our theory to be correct.
TREATMENT
1. Stand behind the patient, and, extending
the left arm around the neck, place the left thumb under the right
clavicle at about its middle; grasp the patient's right wrist with
the disengaged hand, raise the arm slowly above the head, and lower
with a backward motion, at the same time springing the clavicle
up with the thumb of the left hand; raise the left clavicle in like
manner (cut 41).
2. Place the patient on the back: with one
hand under the chin, the other under the back of the head, pull gently,
rotating the head in any direction that will best stretch the muscles in
the front and sides of the neck.
3. Place the below the goiter, pulling it
upward and kneading it gently.
This method will usually cure in from two to six
weeks any goiter on which iodine has not been freely used. Treatment
should be given every other day, and will not occupy over five minutes
time.
FLESHY TUMORS
Fleshy tumors, like goiter, caused by an obstruction
to the veins draining any given part, and are easily cured by stretching
and moving all the flesh and muscles in the immediate vicinity and kneading
and moving the tumor in all directions.
SCORBUTUS, OR SCURVY
(A disease characterized by tendency to hemorrhage of the membranes,
by extravasation of the blood in livid spots under the skin, especially
by spongy, swollen, and bleeding gums, but may be also of the bowels; and
by great prostration, languor, and occasional rheumatic pains.)
SYMPTOMS
Skin dry and rough, purplish; breath fetid: pulse
feeble and rapid; shortness of breath.
TREATMENT
Discontinue the use of salted meats, and all highly
seasoned food. Eat as large quantities of fresh fruit as possible
, and let the diet consist mainly of vegetables, potatoes and onions being
one of the best preventives and curatives for this malady.
The osteopath, being taught to view man as a machine,
always seeks to remove the cause. In this instance, the cause being
an improper diet, correcting the diet will cure the disease.
PURPURA, LAND SCURVY, THE PURPLES, OR (CANADIAN) BLACKLEG
SYMPTOMS
Sometimes begins with a chill, and pain in the back
and limbs; purple spots usually occur in successive crops, first red, then
purple, brown, and yellow; no fever.
TREATMENT
For treatment, see Scurvy.
Take all needed rest, but exercise according to strength,
and breathe fresh air.
