Osteopathy Complete
Elmer D. Barber, D. O.
1898
DISEASES OF THE BRONCHI, LUNGS, AND PLEURAE
ASTHMA
(Paroxymal dyspnea, with oppression)
SYMPTOMS
Recurrent and temporary difficulty in breathing,
accompanied by a wheezing sound and a sense of constriction in the throat,
with couch and expectoration. Authors distinguish two varieties:
dry convulsive or nervous. and humid or common. In the first variety
the attacks are sudden and violent and of short duration, the sense of
constriction is hard, dry, and spasmodic, the cough slight, and expectoration
scanty and only appearing toward the end of the paroxysm. In the
second variety the paroxysm is gradual and protracted, the constriction
heavy, laborious, and humid, the cough violent, and expectoration commences
early, and is at first scanty and viscid, but afterward copious, affording
great relief. In many cases the attack is in the night, and most
frequently an hour or two after midnight.
CAUSE
Asthma, pronounced incurable by the medical fraternity,
can be relieved, and in most cases cured, by an application of the principles
laid down in the following pages.
The thorax is a bony cage formed by the ribs, dorsal
vertebrae, and sternum, containing and protecting the principal organs
of circulation and respiration. The ribs are not only very elastic,
but, being connected with the sternum by costo-cartilage and with the dorsal
vertebrae by ligaments, have limited motion. Thus it will be seen
that they are easily affected by accident or contraction of the muscles.
In most cases of asthma a slight depression will be noticed over the second,
third, and fourth ribs on the left side, about two inches to the left of
the median line, while the cartilaginous portion of the corresponding ribs
on the right side will be found elevated; occasionally this will be reversed,
but in either case it is proof positive that the framework which is supposed
to protect the vital machinery of life is out of gear.
The great Creator, in His infinite wisdom, has arranged
for just such an emergency as this by preparing a system of levers, one
of which we will now use in raising the ribs, stretching the intercostal
muscles, and expanding the chest.
The pectoralis major, a large muscle which covers
the entire front of the chest, attaching to the sternal half of the clavicle
(collar-bone), the six or seven upper ribs, and the cartilages of all the
true ribs, is inserted by a flat tendon into the external bicipital ridge
of the humerus about two or three inches below the shoulder-joint.
If you will raise your arm high above the head, you will feel all the upper
ribs move, thus proving that our theory is correct.
TREATMENT
1. Place the patient on the back with a
pillow under the head. Two assistants at the head of the table;
one places his right, the other his left hand under the patient's
shoulders on the angle of the second rib, half way between the scapula
(shoulder-blade) and spine and one inch above the scapula.
With the disengaged hands take the patient's wrists, and, slowly
drawing the arms upward high above the head (see
cut 4), pull steadily and strongly for a moment; at the same
time with the fingers press steadily on the angle of the ribs.
Lower the arms slowly, the elbows passing below and to the sides
of the table. Move the fingers down the spine one inch, to
the angle of the next rib, and draw up the arms as before; repeat
until you have raised the four or five upper ribs. It will
be also observed that this operation stretches the intercostal muscles.
2. The patient will now be seated upon
a stool. The operator places his knee between the shoulders,
grasps the patient's wrists and raises the arms slowly but strongly
high above the head, pressing hard with the knee and lowering the
arms with a backward motion (see
cut 5).
Each time as the arms are drawn upward the patient should inhale, filling
the lungs to their utmost capacity, exhaling as the arms reach their normal
position.
3. Standing beside the patient, with one hand
upon each side of thorax, press the ribs forward and upward, holding them
in this position while the patient fills the lungs with air.
4. Place the patient upon the back; and,
with the fingers of one hand pressing upon the angle of the first
rib which is depressed, with the other hand pressing outward and
downward upon the cartilages of the ribs that are thrown forward
towards the sternum, have an assistant draw the arm upon the side
where the depression has been discovered, high and strong, above
the head, the patient filling the lungs to their utmost capacity.
Lower the arm with a backward motion, the elbow passing below the
edge of the table, at the same instant pressing hard with the fingers
upon the angle of the rib, and with the other hand upon the cartilage
which is thrown toward the sternum (cut
6).
5. Place the hand lightly upon the thorax,
and vibrate gently for two minutes over that portion of the lungs
or bronchi which seems to be affected. See Vibration.
It is very important in all cases of lung trouble
that vibration should be given, as it assists in starting, stimulating,
and equalizing the circulation through the lungs and bronchial tubes, and
very materially aids in the recovery of the patient. We might mention
in this connection one case, of a lady, who had been unable to lie down
without having a paroxysm for over four years, and after two weeks' regular
treatment showed no signs of improvement. After the first vibration
a marked change was noticed for the better, and in four weeks a complete
cure was effected. Instant relief is often experienced after the
first treatment, and a continuation of the treatment seldom fails to effect
a cure.
Coughs, colds on the lungs, short difficult breathing,
and pleurisy never fail to respond quickly to our Asthma treatment.
Of the numerous cases treated by us in this manner, 90 per cent have been
cured and all benefited.
This entire treatment should occupy about fifteen
minutes, and be given in acute or stubborn cases each day; in milder forms,
every other day is sufficient.
VIBRATION
Vibrations might be compared to fine shaking movements,
in which the whole or part of the palmar surface of the fingers or hand
is used. The benefit to be derived from this treatment depends so
largely upon the manner in which it is administered, and the treatment
is so applicable in such a variety of cases, that we cannot be too particular
in educating ourselves to vibrate correctly. Place the hand lightly
upon the patient, using no pressure. The movements at the elbow are
flexion and extension, while those of the wrist are adduction and abduction.
The vibrations are produced through a succession of quick individual movements.
There should be no straining of the muscles in the operator's arm, or strong
contractions of the muscles of the hand, arm, or shoulder. When given
correctly, with the hand on the anterior surface of the thorax, the vibrations
can be easily felt by the other hand placed upon the back of the patient
while with a stiff hand and arm no motion can be distinguished upon the
back. To further give an idea of how delicately the movements should
be made, place a tumbler of water upon a table, and the vibrations are
given absolutely correct upon the same, the water will not move from side
to side, but simply quicken in the center. The table should be fairly
large to make a fair test.
PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS,
OR CONSUMPTION
(Atrophy of the lungs, characterized by tubercle bacillus.)
SYMPTOMS
The special symptoms are a short and tickling cough;
the pain in the chest is slight, and there is either a sense of tenderness
or weight experienced at the upper part of the lungs; the breathing is
habitually short, and a full inspiration is impracticable, the attempt
increasing the sense of weight and soreness or aggravating the cough; the
expectorations are generally scanty and small in quantity in the early
stages, and in many cases are very trifling throughout; the matter expectorated
is watery and whey-like, sometimes tinged with blood, and as the disease
progresses thick, tenacious, curdy, or cheesy particles are excreted.
As the functional powers of the lungs become impaired the pulse becomes
frequent and feeble, the breathing grows shorter; irregular chills come
on, succeeded by some degree of feverish heat, and in the last stages night-sweats,
diarrhea, swelling of the limbs, etc., denote the rapidly approaching fatal
termination. The local condition of the part diseased is one of engorgement,
and its secretions are changed from a healthy to a morbid condition.
CAUSE
It is a well-known fact that cold will contract
not only iron and steel, but the muscles of the human body. To prove
our theory is correct, allow a cold draught of air to strike the neck for
a short time, and possibly the next morning you have a stiff neck; the
head does not turn freely on its axis: the muscles that were exposed have
contracted and are a little too short. Acting on these principles,
we trace consumption to the contracted muscles of the chest, which are
forcing the elastic ribs down upon the pleura and lungs. The old
idea is that as the lungs decay the ribs settle. How absurd to imagine
that the soft, spongy lungs support the chest! As well say that a
house full of sponges would hold up the roof.
We have established the fact, beyond the shadow
of a doubt, that it is the steady pressure of the contracting muscles that
causes this dread disease, and experience has taught us that until tuberculosis
sets in it can be cured.
TREATMENT
1. Place the patient on the right side, facing
the operator, his left arm flexed, the elbow resting on the right
arm of the operator, pressing against the humerus, thus making a
lever of the patient's arm to stretch the muscles of the shoulder
and scapula. The patient must allow his muscles to relax as
much as possible. The operator will now place his hands in
the position shown in cut
7. With the finger ends close to the spine, pressing quite hard,
using the arm as a lever, with a circular motion move the muscles
under the hand toward the head.
Do not let the hands slip on the spine, as that
would be simply rubbing. Our object is to loosen and stretch the
muscles, thus freeing the vital forces of life from any obstruction and
equalizing the circulation. After each upward motion, move the hands
down one inch, keeping close to the .spine and working deep the entire
length of the spinal column. The left side will now be treated in
a like manner.
2. Place the patient on the back; one operator
placing the right hand, the other the left, under the patient's
shoulders, the fingers pressing hard upon the angles of the first
rib, with the disengaged hands grasp the patient's wrists; as the
patient fills the lungs with air, draw the arms slowly and very
strongly high above the head (cut
4); lower the arms with a backward motion, pressing hard upon
the angles of the ribs, the elbows passing below the sides of the
table. Repeat this operation with each successive rib, as
low as the lower border of the scapula It will be observed that
this treatment expands the thorax thereby increasing the breathing
capacity of the lungs and also freeing the circulation.
3. Place the hand lightly upon the chest,
and vibrate gently over the diseased lung for two minutes.
See Vibration.
4. Place the patient upon a stool; the operator
places his knees between the shoulders, grasps the wrists, and raises the
arms slowly but strongly high above the head; pressing hard with the knee
as he lowers the arms with a backward motion. Patient should always
be instructed to inhale when the arms are raised. All manipulations
must be slow, careful, and strong; particular care should be taken in treating
thoroughly through the upper dorsal region, as it is here, in these diseases,
that we usually find contracted muscles pressing upon nerve-centers which
control the lungs, thereby causing or aggravating the condition.
The patient can usually be relied upon to caution
the operator if too much strength is being used.
A thorough treatment every other day is usually
enough to produce the best results, as Nature must be given a chance to
do her part. Light cases of lung trouble can be cured in two weeks
by this treatment, and the most stubborn, provided tuberculosis has not
set in, in from eight weeks to three months.
5. We have recently discovered that stimulation
of the spleen by vibration will increase the corpuscular richness of the
blood, thereby aiding in the removal of morbid elements from the system.
This entire treatment should not occupy over fifteen
or twenty minutes.
ACUTE BRONCHITIS
(Inflammation of the bronchial tubes.)
SYMPTOMS
Light fever; pain in chest; tickling in the throat;
soreness under the sternum; sense of oppression in the chest; soreness,
due to straining the muscles when coughing; expectoration, at first viscid,
subsequently muco-purulent.
TREATMENT
1. Place the patient upon a stool; and,
with the knee between the scapulae, raise the arms high above the
head, the patient inhaling as the arms are raised; press hard with
the knee, lowering the arms with a backward motion (cut
5). Repeat three or four times, as this movement expands
the chest and frees the circulation to the lungs and bronchi.
2. Place the patient upon the back; with
one hand under the chin, the other under the occipital bone (cut
8), give thorough extension, being careful not to rotate the
head.
3. Pulling gently upon the chin, rotate the
head as far as possible from side to side, thus stretching the muscles
of the neck, and thereby freeing the circulation to the head, also freeing
the pneumogastric nerve which sends filaments to the bronchi and lungs;
also manipulate the muscles and trachea very thoroughly as low as the sternum,
moving the trachea upward as much as possible, as this movement materially
assists in freeing the circulation.
The treatment, while thorough and deep, should be
so very gentle as to give no unnecessary pain.
4. Standing in front of patient, place
the hands upon each side of the neck, the fingers almost meeting
over the spines of the upper cervicals; tip the head backward and
press gently for two or three minutes to reduce the fever (cut
35).
It is at this point that we can reach the vaso-motor
nerve-center, a steady pressure upon which will reduce almost any
fever. See Vaso-motor.
5. Vibrate gently over the affected part.
See Vibration.
This entire treatment should not occupy over fifteen
minutes. Immediate relief is usually experienced; and a few treatments,
given one each day, will effect a speedy cure.
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
(Results from repeated attacks of the acute form.)
SYMPTOMS
It usually first makes its appearance as a winter
cough, becoming continuous subsequently; the breath is short; muco-purulent
expectoration.
TREATMENT
The treatment for chronic bronchitis is the same
as in the acute form, with the exception that treatments need not be given
oftener than every other day. While we may look for the same results,
it will take from two to three months to effect a cure.
CAPILLARY BRONCHITIS
(Inflammation of the smallest bronchia, and usually secondary.)
SYMPTOMS
This disease is most common in children and old
people; the respiration is hurried, and, in addition to other symptoms,
the cough is severe; expectoration scanty; the pulse rapid, with moderate
fever.
TREATMENT
1. Place the patient upon the back; and,
with the right hand beneath the left shoulder, the fingers pressing
upon the angle of the first rib, with the left hand grasp the patient's
left wrist, and draw the arm high above the head (cut
9); press hard upon the angle of the rib as the arm is lowered
with a backward motion, the elbow passing below the edge of the
table. Work in this manner as low as the eighth rib, the patient
inhaling each time as the arm is raised. Treat the opposite
side in a similar manner. This treatment moves the ribs, stretches
the intercostal muscles, expands the chest, and frees the entire
circulation to the bronchial an obstruction of which causes inflammation
of the smallest bronchia.
2. See 2, 3, 4, and 5, Acute
Bronchitis.
FIBRINOUS BRONCHITIS
(Usually chronic, and is characterized by expectoration of fibrinous
casts.)
SYMPTOMS
Paroxysmal cough; a decided cyanosis - a diseased
condition of the circulation, causing a livid, bluish color in the skin;
- dyspnea - labored and difficult breathing; - there may be bleeding from
the nose. This disease is more common in males.
TREATMENT
By expanding the chest, vibration, or any manipulation
which will free the circulation, we can hope for good results. But
a very small per cent of these cases are cured. See
Chronic Bronchitis.
PUTRID BRONCHITIS
(May accompany other bronchial affections, and is characterized by
inflammation and ulceration of the bronchial mucous membrane.)
SYMPTOMS
Irregular fever; occasional chills; cough; breath
and sputa highly offensive.
TREATMENT
This disease is seldom cured by Osteopathy, but
is sometimes greatly benefited. For treatment, see Chronic
Bronchitis.
BRONCRIECTASIS
(Dilatation of the bronchi.)
SYMPTOMS
Usually complicated with other bronchial troubles;
difficult breathing; paroxysmal cough; mucus, pus, and casts of tubules
in the sputa; more common in males.
TREATMENT
This disease is sometimes benefited by osteopathic
treatment. See Chronic Bronchitis.
CATARRHAL PNEUMONIA OR BRONCHO-PNEUMONITIS
(Inflammation of the lungs, beginning with the bronchi.)
SYMPTOMS
Harsh breathing; shallow respiration; temperature
elevated; muco-purulent expectoration; and cough.
TREATMENT
1. Place the patient on the side; beginning
at the upper cervicals, with the finger-tips close to the spine, move the
muscles upward and outward with a circular motion, gently but deep, the
entire length of the spinal column. Treat the opposite side in a
similar manner. Tender spots will be found about the third or fourth
dorsal, upon which a pressure will cause the patient to cough; manipulate
very thoroughly over these nerves.
2. Place the patient on the back; the hand
resting lightly upon the thorax immediately over the right lung,
vibrate gently one minute. Treat the opposite lung in a similar
manner. See Vibration.
3. Place the right hand under patient's
left shoulder, the fingers pressing upon the angles of the second
rib; with the left hand draw patient's left arm high and strong
above the head as the patient inhales. Press hard upon the
angle of the rib as the arm is lowered with a backward motion (cut
9). Work in this manner as low as the eighth dorsal.
Treat the opposite side in a similar manner. Great caution
must be exercised not to fatigue or exhaust the patient.
4. Place the left hand under the chin, drawing
the head gently backward and to the right, at the same instant manipulating
the muscles upon the left side of the neck with the right hand. Treat
the opposite side and front of the neck in a similar manner. This
treatment frees the circulation to the head, also frees and stimulates
the pneumogastric nerve, filaments of which assist in controlling the lungs.
5. Place the hands upon each side of the
neck, the finger-tips almost meeting over the spines of the upper
cervicals; press gently with the fingers three or four minutes upon
the vaso-motor to control the fever. See Vaso-motor.
The treatment should be given each day, and should not occupy over
fifteen or twenty minutes.
ACUTE MILIARY TUBERCULOSIS
(Disseminating tuberculosis. May involve several organs.)
SYMPTOMS
Very similar to those of acute bronchitis; rapid
pulse; high fever; delirium; profuse perspiration; prostration; and symptoms
of intoxication.
No cure in Osteopathy.
INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONITIS
(Induration of the lungs, by interstitial over-growth of fibrous tissue.
Due to inhaling particles of dust, steel or cotton.)
SYMPTOMS
Curvature of the spinal column; shoulders drawn
down; chest retracted; ribs drawn together; heart displaced towards the
affected side.
No cure in Osteopathy.
PULMONARY EMPHYSEMA
(Dilatation - produced by the infiltration of air of the air-cells
of the lungs.)
SYMPTOMS
Very distressing cough; difficult breathing; scanty
expectoration; enlarged chest; ribs fixed in position of full inspiration;
expectoration is attended with a succession of puffs. More common
in males.
No cure in Osteopathy.
PULMONARY CONGESTION
(Excessive amount of blood in the lungs, which diminishes the air-space.)
SYMPTOMS
Cough; difficult breathing; increased fremitus,
vibration or thrils; and bloody expectoration.
TREATMENT
In the treatment of this disease it is very necessary
to use our utmost endeavor to free the circulation to and from the lungs,
if we hope to relieve their congested condition.
1. Place patient upon the side; beginning
at the last cervical vertebra, the fingertips barely touching the spine,
move the muscles upward and outward with a circular motion, gently but
deep, the entire length of the dorsal region. The spine will usually
be found in a very sensitive condition, particularly between the third
and the sixth dorsal, where a pressure of the hand will instantly produce
a paroxysm of coughing. Treatment in this region should be very thorough.
Treat the opposite side in a similar manner.
2. Place the patient upon the back;
one operator placing the left, the other the right hand, beneath the shoulders,
the fingers pressing upon the angles of the second ribs; with the disengaged
hands grasp the patient’s wrists, drawing the arms gently but strongly
above the head, the patient filling the lungs with air; press hard with
the fingers upon the angles of the ribs as the arms are lowered with a
backward motion. Move the fingers to the next ribs below, and repeat
the operation until the sixth rib is reached. This treatment expands
the chest, and usually gives immediate relief.
3. Place the hand lightly upon the thorax,
over the right-lung, and vibrate gently for one minute. See
Vibration.
4. Treat the other lung in a similar manner.
This treatment tends to equalize and free the circulation in the congested
lung.
Care must be exercised, in giving this treatment,
not to unduly fatigue or exhaust the patient; on the contrary, if the treatment
is given in a correct manner, the patient will feel refreshed and invigorated.
It is always well after each treatment to place
the hand upon the sides of the neck, finger-tips almost meeting
over the upper cervicals, and press gently for three or four minutes
upon the vaso-motor to reduce the fever and quiet the patient.
See Vaso-motor.
PULMONARY EDEMA
(Serous exudation into the air-cells of the lungs.)
SYMPTOMS
Similar to congestion but in a more aggravated form;
large quantities of sero-mucoid fluid is expectorated; moist rales, - sounds
additional to that of respiration, heard on auscultation of the chest,
are detected. Often occurs with heart disease, or may be associated
with dropsical conditions.
TREATMENT
This disease is very seldom cured, but is sometimes
benefited by osteopathic treatment. See Pulmonary
Congestion.
PULMONARY ABSCESS
(Abscess of the lungs. Always secondary, and must be considered
in connection with its cause.)
SYMPTOMS
Sputum is copious, purulent, and often offensive,
and contains elastic fibers.
TREATMENT
This disease is often benefited and sometimes cured
by the Pulmonary Congestion treatment,
being very particular to give thorough vibration immediately over the abscess.
PULMONARY THROMBOSIS AND EMBOLISM
(Plugging of the pulmonary artery or its branches by coagulation in
the right heart or veins.)
SYMPTOMS
Pain in the chest; rapid breathing; craving for
air; an intense dyspnea; heart's action irregular; temperature may be below
normal, but may rise later.
No cure in Osteopathy.
PULMONARY GANGRENE
(Mortification of the lungs. Frequently results from pneumonia.
Is always secondary, and due to obstruction.)
SYMPTOMS
A brownish purulent expectoration, having a gangrenous
odor, and containing fragments of lung tissue; fever.
No cure in Osteopathy.
CROUPOUS PNEUMONIA,
OR LUNG FEVER
(Inflammation of the lung tissue. Characteristically accompanied
by fever reaching its height about the ninth day, local pain, cough, expectoration,
and dyspnea. Frequently complicated with other diseases.)
SYMPTOMS
Croupous pneumonia generally comes on insidiously,
with restlessness and feverish disturbance, and sometimes has made great
progress before the true character of the disease has been discovered.
There is a deep-seated, dull pain beneath the breastbone or shoulder-blade;
a great feeling of illness; frequent short cough, with expectoration of
viscid matter of a green, yellow, or pale color, sometimes tinged with
blood, which forms such tenacious masses that inversion of the vessel containing
them will not detach them. Profuse green expectoration is a serious
symptom. The breathing is hurried and difficult, the skin hot, especially
in the regions of the armpits and ribs; there is no moisture in the nostrils,
and there exists great thirst. If the disease is unchecked, the face
often exhibits patches of redness and lividity and the blood-vessels of
the neck become swollen and turgid. The patient may sink either from
exhaustion or obstruction of the lungs.
There is shortness and jerkiness of breath, breathing
forty or fifty times a minute; red spot on the cheek of the side affected;
low or whispering voice; chills; fever; full, rapid pulse; sharp pain in
the chest; cough dry, then in two days the expectoration becomes rusty
and bloody.
TREATMENT
1. Place the patient on the side; beginning
at the upper cervicals, move the muscles upward and outward the entire
length of the spinal column, gently but deep. Treat the opposite
side in a similar manner.
2. Place the patient on the back; with one
hand under the chin, the other under the occipital bone, give gently extension
and rotation of the neck. Also manipulate all muscles of the neck,
carefully but very thorough and deep.
3. Place the left hand under the right shoulder,
fingers resting upon the angle of the second rib; draw the right arm very
gently, but strong, above the head as the patient inhales; lower the arm
with a backward motion, pressing hard upon the angle of the rib at the
same instant.
Treat the third, fourth, and fifth ribs in a similar
manner, and repeat the operation on the opposite side.
4. Place the hand lightly over the right
lung and vibrate gently two minutes. Treat the opposite lung
in a similar manner.
5. Place the hands upon the sides of the
neck, the fingers almost meeting over the spines of the upper cervicals;
tip the head backward, pressing hard upon the vaso-motor center
for five minutes, to reduce the fever.
This treatment, if the case is taken in any reasonable
time, will give immediate relief, and a continuation of the treatment a
speedy cure.
Treatment will occupy about fifteen or twenty minutes,
and should be given each day.
PNEUMOTHORAX
(Air in the pleural cavity.)
SYMPTOMS
Shallow, hurried breathing; pain in the chest; metallic
tinkling may be heard; chest distended on the affected side.
TREATMENT
This disease is very difficult to manage, but is
sometimes benefited by our Asthma treatment.
ACUTE PLEURISY
(Inflammation of the pleura.)
SYMPTOMS
Sharp and stabbing pain in the side; difficult breathing;
fever; cough; the pain generally on a level with the nipple, usually anteriorly
to the axilla.
TREATMENT
1. Trace the rib or ribs under which the
pain is located to their angle near the spine; place the thumb of
the right hand, should the seat of pain be located in the left side,
upon the angle of the first rib above the seat of pain; with the
left hand draw patient's left arm high and very strong above the
head (cut 10)
as the patient fills the lungs to their utmost capacity; press hard
with the thumb as the arm is lowered with a backward motion.
Apply the same treatment to the next two lower ribs.
This treatment seldom fails to give instant relief;
and two or three treatments usually effect a cure.
2. Should the case prove stubborn and fail
to respond to the above treatment, stand behind the patient, who
should be seated upon a stool, and place the thumbs on each side
of the spine upon the angles of the third ribs; the assistant standing
in front and grasps the patient's wrists, raising the arms slowly
with great strength high above the head (cut
11), the patient inhaling, and relaxing all muscles. This treatment
stretches the intercostal muscles and expands the chest, thereby
freeing the blood-supply to the pleura, an obstruction of which
has caused its congested condition. Always press hard upon
the angles of the ribs as the arms are lowered with a backward motion,
the patient permitting the elbows to bend. Place the thumbs
upon the angles of the fourth ribs, while the assistant raises the
arms as before. This operation should be repeated until we
are below the seat of pain.
This treatment usually gives immediate relief, and
always effects a cure in a very short time. Treatment should be given
once each day, until a cure is effected. All manipulations, while
strong, should be slow and gentle, great care being exercised to give no
unnecessary pain.
CHRONIC PLEURISY
(Results from acute attacks.)
SYMPTOMS
Curvature of the spine; chest contracted; heart
displaced; scapula dislocated, and shoulder deformed; chills; sweats; and
accelerated pulse.
TREATMENT
Chronic cases of pleurisy which have not reached
what might reasonably be considered an incurable stage can be relieved,
and a very large per cent cured, by a continuation of the treatment as
laid down for Acute Pleurisy.
Treatment should be given every other day, and should
occupy not over ten minutes. We may expect a cure, according to the
nature of the case, in from one to three months.
EMPYEMA
(Effusion of pus into the pleural cavity.)
SYMPTOMS
If the effusion is on the right side, the diaphragm
and liver are depressed; if on the left, the heart is displaced and the
apex beat is found in the epigastrium; palpable vibrations of the chest
walls absent; heart action rapid, and pulse feeble.
TREATMENT
This disease, although sometimes benefited, is seldom
cured by Osteopathy.
1. A light treatment as in
Pleurisy, should be given.
2. Place the patient on the back; the hand
resting lightly over the diseased portion of the pleura, vibrate
gently for three or four minutes. See Vibration.
HYDROTHORAX
(Dropsy of the chest. Usually occurs in the course of debilitating
disease.)
SYMPTOMS
General symptoms of effusion; difficult breathing,
relieved only by an upright position; no symptoms of inflammation.
No cure in Osteopathy.
HEMOTHORAX
(Effusion of blood into the pleural cavity. May result from rupture
of an aneurism, or may be in connection with a serous effusion; if the
latter, it likely indicates carcinoma, or tuberculous disease.)
SYMPTOMS
General symptoms of effusion, such as no pain or
frictional sound; enlargement of the affected side; displacement of the
organs; diminution of movement.
No cure in Osteopathy.
INTERCOSTAL NEURALGIA, OR PLEURODYNIA
(Pain in the intercostal muscles.)
SYMPTOMS
A constant aching or burning pain, aggravated by
turning, twisting, or breathing; the side is also sensitive to touch; it
often leaves one side and attacks the other.
TREATMENT
This disease can usually be quickly relieved, and
while somewhat slow, can be nearly always cured by our Acute
Pleurisy Treatment.
DIAPHRAGMATIC PLEURISY
(Inflammation of the pleura involving the diaphragm.)
SYMPTOMS
Greater elevation of temperature than in ordinary
pleurisy; pain in the epigastrium; hiccough; vomiting; nausea; intense
dyspnea; peritonitis may occur at any time.
TREATMENT
1. See Acute Pleurisy.
2. Standing behind the patient, place the
fingers upon the transverse processes of the third, fourth, and
fifth cervical vertebrae; press the muscles forward and slip the
fingers down in front of the transverse processes, where a pressure
can be exerted upon the phrenic nerve, near its origin (cut
12). This nerve controls the diaphragm, and a pressure
at this point breaks the nerve-wave to this muscle, and consequently
slows its action, as is fully explained under the head of Hiccoughs.
The phrenic nerve should be held about two minutes.
3. Place the hand lightly over the pit
of the stomach and vibrate gently two minutes.
4. Press gently upon the stomach, slowly increasing
the pressure, until as much strength is exerted as patient can endure without
too much inconvenience.
Standing beside the patient, place one hand upon
each side of the neck, the first fingers resting against the occipital
bone, the index fingers meeting over the spine of the upper cervicals;
tip the head slightly backward, press gently with the fingers for
three or four minutes upon the vaso-motor center (cut
13), thus reducing the fever. See Vaso-motor.
Treatment should be given every day, occupying about fifteen
minutes.
