[NOTE: To view the graphic associated with each description, click on the plate number or title.] PLATES 1a AND 1b FIRST OF THE GENERAL TREATMENT Place the patient on the table, or bed, on the back,
all the muscles limp as possible, neck bare of clothing, ties, etc., Put
both hands, fingers touching at the spines of vertebrae, hands at the side
of the neck, head of patient well up to the head of table; raise the neck
with both hands, letting the forefingers pull hardest, so that the head
will incline to droop somewhat, pressing the person against the top of
the head of patient, and when the neck is well bent and stretched upwards,
move backward from head of the patient yourself, raising the fingers next
to the occiput so as to level the head, and let it down on the table.
Place the heel of each hand on each side of
the head of the patient, on the mastoid portion of it, behind the ears,
putting the fingers as near together as may be; drop the fingers of one
hand to the junction of the occiput and neck; now roll the head over on
that hand by pressing with the heel of the other hand, pressing at the
same time with the palm of the fingers against the side of the neck, inclining
to pull the finger ends upward, and enforcing that move by the pressure
of the palm of the other hand, or rather the heel of the hand against the
side of the head, back of the ear (as seen in the plate). Continue these
moves several times, moving the fingers on the sides of the neck up and
down over the muscles, catching fingers at a new point on the neck each
turn of the head, with the fingers of the hand underneath the side of head
and the neck. The fingers of the hand that rolls the head over on the other
hand need not be pressing on the neck as the heel of said hand rolls the
head over on the opposite hand, but may be lifted up therefrom in an easy,
graceful curve, but drawn down when pressure is to be made on the neck
of that side. The object of this move, or these moves, is to free the circulation
of the blood and other fluids in all of the muscles of the neck, removing
any and all rigidity, contraction of muscles, etc.
Place the hand under the neck, fingers ending near
mastoid process of occipital on opposite side, other hand under chin of
patient; pull easily, firmly and steadily in a direct line lengthwise until
you perceive that the body is moved enough to move the feet of the patient,
and, holding the hands and body taut, at the same time turning the head
on toward finger ends of hand on back of head, pressing moderately with
finger ends, and before slackening hold turn head till straight with body;
then let go. Change the hands and repeat same process on opposite side
of head. This, you perceive, stretches the neck muscles, and cervical vertebrae
as well, thoroughly.
PLATE 4 With the tips of the fingers of both hands placed
near the cervical vertebrae, hands at the sides of the neck, pressing gently
against the neck with ends of the fingers, move the hands rapidly in such
a way as to move the muscles of the side and back of the neck upwards,
downwards and sidewise, vibrating, for several successive moves.
PLATE 5 Place the fingers (one or more) at the angle of the
jaw; have the patient open the mouth widely; at the instant the mouth is
opened draw the fingers up firmly to the side of the head, back of the
ear, stretching the skin and adjacent tissues at the same time; and as
the patient closes the mouth, loosen the pressure of the fingers. Do this
two or three times, being careful not to produce pain by holding the fingers
in position as the jaw is closing.
PLATES 6a AND 6b
The ear movement is made as follows: Place the end
of the forefinger palmar surface on the Tragus (the little protuberance
just below and in front of the meatus-auditorius externus), the ear being
held between first and second fingers; Move them quite vigorously up and
down several times, then press them backwards with a steady but rather
sudden jerk, and revolve the integument with the whole ear several times.
PLATE 7 Place the fingers, the pulps of them, on the temples, and, with an up and down or rotary movement, vibrate in and over and around in all directions on the temples for several quick, successive movements, and at the same time dropping the thumbs on the forehead and vibrating them over every part of it, upwards and downwards.
This movement is made by placing the palmer portion of the thumbs on either side of the nose, pulling them upward and outwards over the eyebrows across the supraorbital notch two or three times, with moderate pressure.
Put the thumb oil one side of the nose, fingers on other side, compress slightly, and move them up and down the length of nose, pulling skin at the same time, moving quite rapidly for several successive moves.
Put thumb and index finger of either hand on papillae
lachrymal at inner cautious of eyes, squeeze gently, then, finger and thumb
in position, gently push them down to the sides of the nose with a sudden
push, being careful to hold them together so as not to spread out and run
them into the eyes. Two or three vigorous motions should be made.
PLATE 10 This move is made by placing the thumbs on either
side of the alae of the nose, and using pressure on the malar bone, letting
the thumbs slide downwards and outwards on the under edge of the malar
processes of the superior maxillary bones. Repeat the movements two or
more times.
PLATE 11 Introduce the forefinger of each hand into the nostrils
and place the thumbs on outside; press them together, then pull nostrils
outward (straight), stretching moderately so as to dilate the sphincter
alae. This is one of the treatments for catarrh.
The movements of the muscles of the neck are shown
in this plate, and being important, it is essential that they be well understood.
This movement, or the movements are made by standing at the side of the
patient, the operator placing the hand on the forehead of the patient,
the other hand on the side of the neck, fingers close to the cervical vertebrae,
but not beyond the vertebrae of the side of the neck the hand is placed,
the fingers forming a gentle curve, and the tips pressing evenly and vertically
on neck; and now, with a rolling motion of the head, done by the use of
the hand of the operator, on forehead, pushing forehead from him, and at
the same time pulling the other hand toward himself, the operator being
careful not to let the fingers slip over the skin, but pulling the skin
and deeper structures with the fingers, rising sufficient pressure to do
so and yet not hard enough to be painful or uncomfortable to the patient.
The hand should course up and down on the neck, being particular to manipulate
all of the side of the neck with that sort of a motion; then change sides
of table; get around on the other side and go through the same process
as on side left. The moves should cover every portion of the neck, and
should be thoroughly done so as to reduce all of the rigidity that exists
in the neck muscles at one sitting, if possible.
Standing at the side of the patient, place the arm
of patient at the side of the body, flexed at elbow, catch hold of arm
at elbow with hand, right arm of patient with right arm of operator, push
the arm upwards gently. This pushes the clavicle upwards, and away from
the first rib somewhat; now place the fingers of the other hand between
the neck and clavicle, gently pull it outwards and at the same time raise
the arm up to a level with the shoulder, keeping it on the level with the
body, sliding it up on the table to that height; then let go with both
hands, as you have the clavicle sufficiently raised for one time. This
is the manner of raising the clavicle while patient is lying on the back
of the operating table.
PLATES 14a AND 14b
Standing at the side of the table, patient lying
with face toward operator, relaxing as much as possible every muscle in
the body, the patient is taken hold of by the operator, by the wrist, the
fleshy part of the wrist next to the palmer surface of the operator, the
forefinger extending between the thumb and forefinger of the patient, which
gives secure and easy control of the movements to be made by the operator.
Patient lying on the back, the operator places his hand under neck, finger ends on opposite side of cervical vertebrae, pressing gently on muscular structure, and holding fingers in that position, with other hand on the forehead of the patient, rotates it from him, toward ends of fingers of hand under neck, thus pushing muscles away from their moorings, as it were, continuing this process from base of skull clear down the cervical vertebrae to the shoulders, or first dorsal vertebra. This is to be done on both sides of the neck, changing hands, of course. Notice position in this plate.
The patient being seated on a stool, the operator,
seated behind on another stool, places hands under arms of patient in such
a manner as to include the shoulders, and placing the knees on either side
of the spinous processes, gently draws the shoulders backward, and rolls
the body of patient either way, using his knees as pivotal points against
sides of spines, in the lumbar region, gradually pulling body upward as
the body of operator is inclined backward. This stimulates the nervous
system in that region and stretches the lumbar muscles, takes off the pressure,
and relieves distress. This move may be utilized in the treatment of diarrhoea,
flux, kidney troubles, by placing the knees in the proper position on the
sides of vertebrae, in lower dorsal and lumbar region. This will be fully
explained elsewhere in this book.
PLATES 17 AND 18
The patient lying on the back, the operator takes
hold of the ankle, flexes the leg, presses it against or toward the abdomen,
rotates it to ascertain whether the articulation is normal, addicting and
abducting it as well as flexing and extending it. Then hold the leg at
the knee in either one of the methods desired, flex the thigh upon or toward
the abdomen, placing the fingers of the other hand just above the sacroiliac
junction, pressing firmly with the ends of the fingers, and rotate the
knee outward, downward and backward, repeating this process several times,
bringing the fingers down a line half way between the ischium and the great
trochanter, following the course of the great sciatic nerve as nearly as
possible. The pressure may be modified according to effect desired. The
various methods of holding the leg may be seen in the plates. The various
methods of reducing luxations of the hip joint, described in books on the
science of surgery, are familiar to surgeons, and, being duly explained
in this book, need not be mentioned here. But the adduction and abduction
are frequently used in the various muscular contractures in the hips and
thighs which cause pain, rheumatism and kindred affections, such as neuralgia,
varicose veins, ulcers, etc., that will not down of their own - accord,
but will recover if the proper manipulations of the hip joint are made.
We have other movements of the hips that demand our special attention.
The patient lying on the back, the operator should
take hold of the ankle, placing the other hand below the knee; flex the
leg upon the thigh and press the thigh well toward the abdomen; raise the
foot a little, and press the thigh further toward the abdomen, and while
thus taut, hold it quite firmly with the hand just below the knee, and
with the hand holding the ankle move the foot from the other leg, describing
about an eighth of a circle, moving it backward and forward a few times;
this vibrates the hip and knee joints.
PLATE 20 With the hand holding the ankle, and the other one
holding the leg below the knee joint, and the leg flexed on the thigh,
and the thigh on the abdomen, and held there firmly, pass the hand from
below the knee above the knee, as in Plate 17, and gently push the knee
toward its fellow over the other thigh, at the same time bringing the ankle
outward, and as the leg is brought to a straight line letting the hand
above the knee come down on it as it comes to a level with the other limb.
This last move should be made in a quick and rotary manner, coming down
suddenly with the leg on the table.
PLATE 21 This plate is the finishing of Plate 20. This manipulation
should be gone through with two or three times each treatment.
The stretching of the adductor muscles is done in
the following manner: Take hold of the ankle with one hand, flex the leg
upon the thigh, turn knee outward, foot at right angles with other leg,
knee pressed down with other hand, the hand above the knee, pressing firmly
and steadily, continuously, while the hand holding the ankle draws the
leg down with a quick jerk to a straight line, and the forefingers of the
other hand pressing against the side of the leg thus extended so as to
suddenly go against the side of the leg as it stops, with a sudden stop.
This gently jerks the hip joint, as well as the knee joint, with a slight
shock.
PLATE 23 This plate shows the conclusion of Plate 22 – very
perfectly, with the hand beside the leg, and just above the knee.
Place patient on the back, on operating table, take
hold of the leg just below the knee, flex the leg on the thigh, and with
the other hand take hold of the thigh about two inches below the bend of
the hip joint, fingers about the middle of the front of thigh, fingers
forming a gentle curve, gently grasping the muscular structure; hold firmly
and at the same time flex the thigh more against the abdomen, directing
the knee toward the opposite shoulder of the patient in a slightly outward
circular rotary movement, and at the same instant squeeze the fingers down
on and enclosing the front part of thigh and pulling the elbow slightly
backward and the wrist with an outward, backward, circular move, repeating
these moves several times. This is for the purpose of freeing the veins
in that region, especially the saphenous, which empties the blood from
the deeper veins of the thigh into the femoral vein. The closure of this
vein (saphenous) causes that condition called varicose veins of the leg.
PLATE 25 Letting the foot rest on the table, knee at right
angle, patient on the back, take hold of the side of knee with one hand,
the other hand with fingers slightly curved around on and under inside
of the muscles low down on thigh, pull the ends of fingers against the
muscles and at the same time push the leg and knee inward toward other
leg, carefully moving all the muscles of the inside of the thigh as far
up as the adductor brevis, and then the move as shown in Plate 24 may be
repeated in the treatment. This is the most important movement in
the treatment for varicose veins, for stoppage of the blood in the deeper
veins and the saphenous vein means trouble below in leg.
PLATE 26 The patient lying on the back, catch hold of the
ankle, other hand placing thumb resting on tibia about the insertion of
quadriceps extensor muscle, fingers of the hand under head and back of
fibula, grasping that bone, using some compression; flex the leg on the
thigh several times, bring considerable pressure to bear each time, and
lower the fingers into the posterior peroneal space, using the leg as a
lever to squeeze the muscular tissue and deeper structures in that region,
extending and flexing the leg repeatedly. This is an excellent move to
aid the return circulation of the fluids.
PLATE 27 The patient lying on the back, take hold of the ankle
with one hand, place the other hand above the knee on the lower end of
thigh, raise the leg with hand holding ankle, press firmly with other hand
above knee, stretching all of the back muscles of the leg. Let the knee
bend a little, and bring the pressure against the thigh with other hand
suddenly, though gently, several times, and the feet warm up as if by magic.
A still better way to increase the circulation of the blood in the leg
and foot is to place the leg on the shoulder, lock both hands around the
thigh just above the knee, moving up so as to let the leg flex at the knee,
and spring the hands gently towards operator, bringing the leg straight
with a sudden jerk - not strong, but easily, as prudence may dictate in
each given case. This move may be made several times at one sitting, and
no treatment will bring better results for cold feet. It will be referred
to frequently for various other affections.
PLATE 28 This move should not be ignored, for it has its uses,
and is frequently needed. The operator should take hold of the tendo achilles
with one hand, holding it in such a manner as that the ankle may be firmly
fixed, catching hold of the foot with the other hand, more nearly or around
the toes, placing his shoulder or chest against the inner side of the forearm
to steady his moves; now entry push the toes and metatarsal bones toward
the front part of the tibia, pulling firmly in heel, counterbalancing the
pressure made by the other hand. This stretches the muscular fibers of
the back of the leg and lengthens them, equalizing the muscular strength
of all the muscles of the leg. While the hands are thus holding the foot,
rotation may be made to adjust any displacements of bones existing in the
foot or ankle.
PLATE 29 Place the patient on the back, flex the leg opposite,
take hold of the knee, inside of opposite side of patient (to operator),
and pressing knee outward, pulling inward with hand holding muscles of
thigh, following course of sciatic nerve - that is, half way between the
ischium and the great trochanter, pulling the muscles quite firmly, going
over the parts two or more times. This treatment not only frees the muscular
tissue on the outside of the thigh, but stretches the muscles on the inside
of thigh, and in cases of sciatica or rheumatism, myalgia or diseases resulting
from contracted muscles and sluggish circulation in that part of the body,
is what should be done.
PLATE 30 The patient lying on the back, two persons, one on
each side of table, take hold of the wrist of patient, with the other hands
placed near the sides of spinous processes, pressing firmly, beginning
about the first dorsal vertebrae (each operator on his own side of the
body next to him), with the arm of patient stretched strongly upwards and
outward, as well as backwards and downwards, using the arms as levers and
the ends of fingers as fulcrums, and at the same time having the patient
inhale deeply; the arms are returned to the sides of patient with a sudden
push and down on table to side of patient. This process should be repeated,
moving the hand of operator down spine an inch or two each time the operation
is repeated, going down as low as the tenth dorsal vertebra. The angles
may vary from a right angle, to a vertical, pulling up to the side of the
head. If there is no assistant, one operator may treat one side at a time.
This is a most excellent way to expand the chest, and the patient invariably
feels better. Care should be exercised in all the moves made, and due regard
to the comfort of the patient. The various manipulations should be made
with the view to benefit, and not to exhibit skill simply for the sake
of praise as a mechanic, but for the good of the one operated upon. Disgrace
always follows an awkward manipulator; justly, too.
This plate represents the arm and scapular movement,
and comes in the general treatment, and by it the scapula is moved, raised
from it's moorings, and the pectoral muscles, deltoid, coraco-brachialis,
teres major and minor, latissimus dorsi, trapezium, supra- and sub-scapular
muscles, stretching muscular fiber and aiding in promoting free circulation
of the blood and other fluids in muscles and tissue involved in them. The
patient lying on the side, the operator takes hold of the elbow in the
one hand, and puts the end of his fingers of the other hand at the upper
and posterior border of the scapula, pushes the elbow backward, and edging
the fingers of the other hand under the edge of the scapula, moving fingers
downward at each move of the elbow backwards until lower edge of scapula
is reached.
Place the patient on the back on a table, hands down
to the sides, limp, relaxed; the operator, standing at the head of the
patient, reaches arms down to the lower edge of the chest, in front and
on either side of sternum, placing fingers of both hands at the junction
of ribs and abdomen, as if to take hold of ribs, and while holding there
require the patient to take a deep inspiration, expanding and drawing up
the chest as well as the abdominal muscles; then have patient let go -
that is, cease to hold - suddenly (this relaxes all of the muscles made
taut by the inhalation), and just at that instant put the ends of the fingers
under lower edge of ribs and pull steadily upwards and outwards, using
moderate strength. This surely does the work effectually. It is a means
of overcoming much of the constriction around the waist caused by heavy
skirts in females, and tight lacing of former years (of course, we have
no tight lacing now!), and freeing the lower tension and constriction caused
by contracted abdominal muscles.
The patient should be in a recumbent position, lying
on the back, a little inclined to the left side, the operator on the left
side of patients right hand with fingers somewhat curved, ends placed on
right side of spinous processes between the sixth and the tenth dorsal
vertebra, with left hand (the heel of it) or the ends of fingers placed
on abdomen at or under edge of the ribs on right side of patient, and while
pulling with the right hand, he presses ends of fingers of left hand against
liver, circling the entire edge of that side of the body, having regard
to the susceptibility of the patient as regards pressure. The kneading
of the liver should be done gently, but thoroughly.
After the liver has been treated as directed in Plate
33, while the right hand is in position as shown in that plate, and the
patient on the back, let the operator place the fingers of the left hand
on the left side of the abdomen, down in the region of the sigmoid flexure,
pressing gently with the fingers, and at the same time pull gently with
the right hand against the right side in the region of the liver, moving
the fingers of the left hand upwards, along the course of the descending
colon, pressing at short intervals as the other hand is drawing against
the side and liver.
This plate shows the manner of percussion of the
abdomen with the finger ends all gathered in a bunch, each hand. The object
of this treatment is to arouse peristalsis of the intestines; and it often
does it while patient is receiving it to that of desire to empty the bowels
at once. The patient lying on the back, abdominal muscles relaxed, begin
with one hand at the iliocaecal valve region of the abdomen, begin the
tapping and alternate the taps with the ends of the fingers, up, ascending
colon to the hepatic flexure, then across abdomen to splenic flexure, thence
down descending colon to sigmoid flexure. Repeat this process the same
way several times, not tapping heavily, and your efforts will be crowned
with satisfactory success for constipation; but the other methods used
for constipation should not be neglected, remembering all the that the
hepatic secretion, called bile, is an irritant that stimulates the mucous
membrane of the intestinal tract, and is set in motion and action through
the splanchnic nervous system. The next number of our plates represent
another step in the manipulation of the abdomen that is very efficacious
in relieving constipation, peristalsis, etc.
PLATE 36 The patient lying on the back, the operator places
one hand out and covering as much of the abdomen as one hand will, placing
the other hand on his own, over abdomen of patient, using gentle pressure
rotates from left to right slowly and firmly for several moments, then
disengages his hands and goes through a process of kneading for a little
time; then repeat the rotary process and the percussing (tapping) process.
These measures should be applied at least every other day to insure satisfactory
results in cases of chronic constipation. There are other manipulations
sometimes necessary in the cure of constipation that will receive attention
at the proper place in this book.
The patient, either lying on the back or sitting
up on a chair or stool, head inclined backward, mouth wide open, the finger
of the operator is put into the mouth just behind the last upper molar
tooth, palm of finger looking forward; begins by gentle pressure at that
place, and follows posterior border of soft palate across to opposite side,
and back to place of beginning, not pressing too hard, only moderately.
This stimulates the palative nerve filaments and aids in removing venous
stasis, the direct cause of the condition resulting therefrom, called catarrh.
This should be done three times a week, and should be the finishing-up
treatment each time the general treatment is given for catarrh. Care should
be exercised that bruising be avoided, as the palate is fragile. The finger
should be thoroughly cleansed, with due regard to hygienic results, and
in fastidious patients the cleansing will be a matter of intense consideration.
The patient Iying on the table or mattress, face
down, the operator takes hold of the patient's foot, opposite the side
he is on, places the heel of one hand about the middle of the back, on
opposite side of spinous process, pressing firmly downward and outward,
raising the foot, drawing the whole limb upwards and in a gentle curve,
springing the back a little beyond the comfort of the patient. The patient
should be inert, all of the muscles relaxed as regards his holding is concerned,
or stiffening himself. Each time the leg is thus raised and sprung against
the hand as the fulcrum, it should be lowered to the table, the hand moved
the width of it down the spine, and this may be repeated several times
at one sitting, the patient's head resting on side of face turned toward
operator. This tends to relax the muscles on opposite side of body. The
other side of back should be treated the same way at the same sitting.
The ease with which this treatment is given is greatly increased by the
operator getting up on the table at the side of the patient, his foot -
one of them - placed on the mattress beside the leg of patient, the body
resting on the other knee, up near the arm of patient, same side. The results
of this treatment are apparent in many pathological conditions, as will
be adverted to elsewhere at various times, as occasion requires, in this
work.
Operator on the side of table, standing. The patient
reclining on the couch or table, on the stomach, face downward, all of
the muscular system as nearly relaxed as may be, lying near the edge of
the table, next to operator. The manipulator, using whichever arm most
convenient, places arm underneath the limbs of patient, just above the
knees, placing the other hand about the middle of the back, finger knuckle
placed on one side of spinous processes and thumb on the other; he presses
firmly, inclining to push upwards, and at the same time raises the limbs
upward, making the back form a gentle curve, holding it there and swinging
it from side to side a time or two, then halting on a line with the body,
increasing the pressure on the back by gently raising the limbs a little
higher, then lowering the limbs to the table. This should be repeated several
times, moving the pressure down the back, covering the whole of the lumbar
region at one sitting. One operator may do this on reasonably light persons
without straining himself, and to great advantage of the patient, which
will be further explained elsewhere.
The patient lying on the couch, face down, and face
turned from operator, the operator places the one hand on the back of subject
about the middle of dorsal region, on the opposite side of spinous processes,
heel of hand pressing on the body close to the spines of dorsal vertebrae,
in such a position as to press muscular tissue away from their moorings,
then place the other hand under the axilla of opposite arm of patient,
pulling shoulder toward, and pushing with hand on back from the line of
axis of the body. This should be done on both sides, moving hand down the
back a little each move.
The patient lying on the stomach, perfectly relaxing
the whole system as nearly as possible, arms lying loosely to the side
or hanging off the side of table, face looking away from operator, the
thumbs and fingers are placed on either side of the spinous processes,
near them; the operator makes a sudden, springing push downward with both
hands, beginning at upper edge of scapulae, and at each such sudden pressure
moves down the back, stopping at the last lumbar vertebra. If the operator
is strong, the table not too high, this treatment may be properly done
while standing on the feet, but where the operator is small, the patient
large, it is better done, easier and more effectually, when the operator
places himself on the table beside the patient, on his knees. This gives
more ease in producing the necessary sudden pressure; but the hardness
of these shocks must be governed by the case treated, susceptibility of
force, and effect desired.
Place the patient on a chair or stool, the operator,
standing at one side, places one arm around the shoulders and neck of patient,
placing hand in front of upper chest region and holding shoulder so as
to control it, places the other arm across front of chest, with hand to
opposite side, finger ends placed at the sides of the spines, beginning
about the sixth dorsal, and then pull the side forward (toward operator),
using the arm around neck and shoulder as an antagonizer, pushing shoulder
backward, while the other hand is pulling forward, the fingers endeavoring
to draw the muscles from the vertebrae, as shown in the plate. This is
one of the manipulations used in treating the liver, colic, pleuritic and
lung affections that may be frequently utilized.
PLATE 43 Place the patient on a table, lying on the sidle;
the arm uppermost should curve under the neck and reach back to and catch
hold of the edge of the table he is lying on, so as to keep from being
turned off of the table during the treatment. Let operator take hold of
patient's ankle with one hand (the one above), place the thumb and fingers
of the other hand on either side of the spinous processes about midway
of the back, pressing firmly, inclining to push upwards pull the foot and
leg gently backward, giving to the motion a sort of a spring, then let
it go to its normal position. Repeat this movement several times, moving
the fingers down an inch or so at a time as the leg is drawn backward.
This move not only stimulates the terminal filaments of the spinal and
sympathetic nerves, but it stretches the abdominal muscles and the anterior
muscles of the thigh, and can be extended on down the thigh over the course
of the great sciatic nerve, as in the treatment for sciatica and uterine
affections mentioned elsewhere, more particularly that of amenorrhea and
affections due to abnormal functions of these organs caused by capillary
congestion.
PLATE 44 The patient seated on a chair or stool, the operator
standing in front, knees between operator's knees, so as to steady the
body on stool, the operator takes hold of the wrist of patient with one
hand, places the other hand and arm on same side of patient in such a manner
as to let the fingers press on the sides of spinous processes on the side
next to operator, and up between scapulae, about the fourth or fifth dorsal
vertebra, fingers gently curved, so as to apparently grasp the muscular
tissue under skin, and now, with the arm extended, carrying arm of patient
upward, places same to the side of the neck (of operator), straightens
himself upward and backward, stretching all of the muscles of the side
of the patient, then holding them in that position, pushes the arm backward
gently, firmly, steadily, cautiously, as far backward as a line of the
back of the head of patient; then, having a firm hold of the wrist of patient,
fingers of the other hand still in position on the sides of spines, bends
the elbow of patient at right angles and pushes it down over arm to the
side of
The patient sitting on a stool, chair, bed or bench,
the operator, standing in front, places both hands around neck, letting
fingers meet posteriorly with ends of same somewhat curved, pulps of ends
of fingers pressing against back of neck on either side of cervical spinous
processes, with the thumbs looking upward at the sides of the head, steadies
the head of patient, pulls gently, yet firmly with fingers, and steadying
head with hands, inclines to bend neck forward and head backward at the
same time, making gentle pressure on back of neck, embracing vasomotor
region, holding the fingers in position for a moment, then changing fingers
to other points on neck and giving springing motions of neck. This is one
of the moves for headache, and comes in the general treatment, and utilized
in the treatment of many diseases, stiffness of the muscles of the neck,
neuralgia, rheumatism, spinal affections, etc.
This plate is designed to represent the continuation
of Plate 45. Whilst the hands are holding the neck, fingers nearly meeting
at back of neck, close the hands somewhat, raising one elbow and lowering
the other, rotate the head partially on its axis, going through that motion,
raising first one elbow, then the other, inclining to press upward at the
same time, so is to stretch the muscles on all sides of the neck while
the movements are being executed; then finish the movement by closing the
finger-ends against the sides of the spines of the cervix, pressing so
on the fingers as to pull the muscles of the sides of the vertebrae forward,
changing positions of fingers two or three times before letting the patient
go. This movement should be done with caution, so as not to dislocate the
vertebrae. This treatment will relieve much contracture of the cervical
muscles, and greatly aid in relieving congestion of the head.
The patient sitting up, the operator places one hand
on the forehead, the other on the back of the neck, one or more fingers
on one side of spinous processes, the thumb on the other side, and both
close up to the atloid-occipital junction, where the finger and thumb are
made to press gently - or even strongly, as the comfort of patient seems
more or less susceptible to impression - then counterpress with other hand
against the forehead, inclining to push upward with the thumb and fingers
on neck. Lower the finger and thumb a little and repeat movements until
all of the cervical region is gone over. This move not only stimulates
the nerves in the vasomotor region, but stretches the muscles on front
and back of the neck, aiding in removing much congestion of tile venous
blood and the lymphatics, emptying them into the large jugulars.
This plate represents a neck treatment, and a method
of stretching the muscles in many cases where movement is not so much needed
as stretching the whole muscular system upward, and at the same time controlling
nerve influence as well as arterial circulation, venous and lymphatic activity.
It is curative for many severe headaches.
The patient being seated on a stool or chair, the
operator bends head of patient forward against chest, places the ends of
the fingers of both hands close tip to the edge of occiput, just posterior
to mastoid processes on either side of neck, and with quick successive
movements, holding finger ends against the skin so as not to slip, but
move the skin with the fingers; makes movements with ends of fingers, held
steadily toward spinous processes and back towards ears of patient, several
times rapidly; then moves ends of fingers downward, and goes through same
sort of moves, continuing this until these moves include the muscles of
back of neck down to top of shoulders. This is a thrilling, vigorous, exhilarating
treatment, and aids in promoting circulation of the blood, regulating it,
and stimulating recurrent nerves along side and back of neck in all of
the cervical region, and embraces the spinal accessory as well, on either
side of spine all the way- or anywhere over body.
This plate shows a special movement for sore throats,
catarrh, enlarged tonsils, etc. The patient lying on the back on a bed
or table, the operator, standing at the side, places one hand on the forehead,
the other across the upper part of the chest, not letting either hand or
arm rest on the patient, but places one or two of the fingers on the opposite
side of the neck, pressing pulps of fingers against side of neck; push
the head with a rolling move over toward opposite side, and at the same
time holding the fingers steadily on the skin on the side of the neck so
as to seemingly pull the deeper tissue toward him, then bring the head
back to former position; repeat process a number of times, placing the
fingers at different places on the side of neck at each and every turn
of the head from you. Cover all that side of the neck thereby, then do
the same on the other side of the neck. Continue moves for several minutes.
The patient seated on a stool, the operator takes
hold of wrist with one hand, places the other forearm in axilla of patient,
extending arm and pulling tip in axilla hard enough to distinctly raise
the shoulder of the patient, being careful not to use greater strength
than simply to lift the shoulder joint slightly upward, the arm being drawn
down to the side of the patient, with the hand of the operator, as seen
in the plate. This is an excellent movement for lifting the whole shoulder
joint, including the clavicle and scapula on either side, as well as both
sides. It stretches the serrati muscles, and all of the muscles inserted
or attached to the arm, and liberates much of the impeded circulation of
venous blood in the whole arm, aiding in the cure of many diseased and
semi-ankylosed shoulder joints. Much good may be accomplished by this movement,
which should be done on both sides.
After raising the shoulder joint, as seen in Plate
51, the patient sitting on a chair or stool, the operator takes hold of
the arm of patient at wrist with one hand, and with the other hand just
above the elbow, thumb above, and all of the fingers encircling the arm,
letting the finger ends rest above external condyle of humerus, in contact
with ulnar nerve as nearly as may be where it passes around the condyle
of humerus, holding arm of patient against the body in such a manner as
that the back of arm shall rest against the body of the operator; and now
bend the arm gently backward, springing it a little, then, letting up with
the springing backward pressure, holding the arm in position against the
body, with the hand holding the wrist, roll the forearm toward the body
of the patient, describing as nearly as may be a half circle, squeezing
the fingers of the hand holding the arm above the elbow, so as to pull
all the muscles forward, and articulate the elbow joint briskly for several
successive moves at one sitting, then treat the other likewise. Do not
fail to recognize the fact that this move assists in freeing the muscles,
the nerves, blood vessels, etc., in that quarter of the body.
The patient sitting up, the operator, standing at
the side, takes hold of wrist of patient and places the other hand at the
side of the neck, with the second finger on upper margin of the clavicle,
about half way between the two ends, the third and fourth fingers resting
on the side of the neck, and the forefinger placed above or at the inside
of clavicle, in as easy a position as may be; now raise the arm gently,
and at the same time push the finger down between the neck and clavicle,
then carry the arm to the other side of neck of patient as if to place
hand on opposite shoulder, extending it somewhat, which causes the clavicle
to be moved outward. This should be repeated, and the other clavicle served
in the same way. This is one way to raise the clavicle, and not the least
important, either; and, being used in almost every general treatment, should
be done with perfect ease, and dexterously, and need not be painfully done
to the patient.
The seventy-two illustrations given in the Osteopathic
Department of this book will be found to be the best in the ranks of osteopathic
treatment; but when the Neuropathic Department is thoroughly comprehended
it will be found that the manipulations will be much better adapted to
the accomplishment of the purpose than any others known, and yet we would
not underrate the efficacy of these in this department. They are really
for the same purpose - freeing the nervous system - and they being of my
own improvising, may as well be classed under, the name neuropathy as not.
(Every osteopathic treatment should be accompanied with a neuropathic
treatment.) I make this statement that there be no confusion as regards
treatment. In many cases the two may be combined, but too much treatment
at one sitting is not to be considered, for overdoing is apt to be done
than just what suffices. Too long treatments - osteopathically - are exhausting
rather than beneficial. The freeing of the nerves involved and uniting
the forces will be enough, usually. As all the manipulations are for that
purpose they should be classed under neuropathy. There is no such a thing
as bone pain, therefore no such a thing as osteopathy, in fact. We believe
that what is contained in this book will be amply sufficient to meet all
of the conditions called disease, if rightly applied, and conscientiously
submit the same to the afflicted everywhere.
If the several plates are studied and their several instructions
carefully mastered as shown in the part which describes them, any treatment
can be selected which will meet the indications for any condition which may
be found to exist anywhere in the body. |
