The foot-holder is attached, as shown in Fig. 9, and brought by the means before described to a position to receive one foot at a comfortable elevation, the leg being extended, while the patient is seated in an ordinary chair in an easy position. The action is precisely like that above described as applied to the arm, and extends to the thigh and pelvis. If the knee is slightly flexed, the action is almost entirely confined to the lower leg. Each leg may be operated on in turn.
_Mode of Applying Mechanical Movements to Very Feeble Invalids_.--Experience demonstrates that no degree of feebleness excludes the beneficial use of these operations. Invalids too weak to stand, or able to help themselves in the least degree are often treated with perfect success. A judicious use of the Manipulator _always_ increases nutrition and strength without any fatigue or exhaustion, however feeble the patient may be. It is only necessary to provide for these cases additional conveniences, so that the applications can be made in the recumbent position, and also that proper intervals of rest be allowed between successive operations. For this purpose couches are provided, each containing a certain portion of the Manipulator. These are operated by means of a short connecting-rod, joining the rock-shafts of the two pieces of mechanism, as shown in Fig. 10. The Vibrator has two small discs, or heads acting through an opening in the couch on which the invalid rests. These impinge with a rapid, direct stroke upon the portion of the body exposed to the action. The top of the couch is adjustable, and is quickly placed at the elevation which secures the proper force of the instrument, as shown in Fig 11. By simply turning and moving the body, the patient brings any part in contact with the vibrating discs. The cut represents the Vibrator, in which the force impinges at right angles with the surface of the body, sending waves of motion through its substance.
[Illustration: Fig. 12.
Apparatus for the Rubbing in a Recumbent Position.]
The rubbing which is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be applied to all parts of the body in a recumbent position. A couch is required of similar construction to the vibrating couch, but with a rubbing-pad instead of vibrating heads acting through the opening and operated by appropriate connections, as shown in Fig. 12. The top is adjustable, and the degree of effect desired is capable of easy regulation. The patient turns different portions of the body to the action of the rubber as required.
KNEADING. Kneading is a process applied chiefly to the abdomen. The purpose of this operation is to increase nutrition, the muscular power and action of the abdominal walls, and the function of the organs which they contain. Three modes of applying this operation by the mechanical apparatus are in use, effected by the Direct, the Rotary, and the Revolving Kneader.
[Illustration: Fig. 13.
Apparatus for Rotary Kneading.]
THE DIRECT KNEADER. This resembles in form and action the vibrating instrument shown in Fig. 11. The impinging heads, however, are made broader, the motion greater in extent, and the rate of motion less than one-tenth of that employed for the purpose of vibrating. This slowness of motion seems to increase the action of the muscles.
THE ROTARY KNEADER. The action of the kneading heads in this form of apparatus, as shown in Fig. 13, is _inward_ and _upward_ alternately, and it is eminently well calculated to stimulate the action of the abdominal organs.
THE REVOLVING KNEADER. In the form of kneading apparatus, shown in Fig.
14, two thick rollers, which move freely on axes at the extremities of arms, projecting on either side of a shaft turned by a crank or belt, are made to act alternately upon each side of the abdomen.
In the methods of kneading above described, the degree of force acting on the body is governed by an arrangement for elevating or depressing the upholstered top of the couch upon which the patient rests, and through which the action is transmitted to the body.
If this form of apparatus is driven at a rate ten times more rapidly than is desired for kneading, the effect is vibratory, and it is, in fact, used for that purpose.
[Illustration: Fig. 14.
Apparatus for Kneading with Rollers.]
THE CURE OF SWELLINGS AND TUMORS.
The application of motion through the Manipulator promotes absorption, and thus all kinds of _swellings_ and non-malignant _tumors_ are made to diminish under its use. In these cases the vessels of the affected part are distended with stagnant blood, and a portion of the fluid passes through their walls, distending the surrounding tissues, which become more or less hardened. By the transmission of active motion to the affected parts, the contents of the vessels are urged forward; the outside fluids are thus permitted to return to the general circulation and become subject to the energetic vital action of the general system, local deficiencies of oxidation being increased to the normal degree, causing destruction of morbid matter and giving place for new and wholesome nutritive materials for vital use. In short, normal functional activity is established, both locally and generally. Scrofulous, dropsical, rheumatic, and other local accumulations disappear, and even tumors are dispersed, by the use of the Manipulator, in cases in which the knife would otherwise be required.
COUNTER-IRRITATION AND REVULSION.
Artificial means have always been employed to produce an energetic flow of blood in different parts of the body, thereby relieving morbid distention of the vessels, and consequent irritation and pain in neighboring parts. Cupping, hot applications, mustard, capsicum, blisters, and other irritants, are resorted to, but their effects, while generally very good in acute cases, are too transient to be of material aid in chronic affections. By the use of the Manipulator, we can produce the most thorough revulsive effects, operating upon large surfaces, and causing large masses of muscle to receive an increased amount of blood, thus drawing it away from parts oppressed by too great a supply, constituting engorgement. No injury is done to the parts acted upon; on the contrary, they are strengthened by the application, which can be repeated as often as necessary till relief is permanent. Thus, the head, heart, digestive organs, liver, chest, or whatever part is oppressed by excess of blood, may be speedily and permanently relieved. By means of this ability to relieve any part of the system from engorgement, and consequent inflammation and its results, are we enabled to permanently cure a large variety of chronic inflammatory, ulcerative, and nervous affections.
Local inflammations by this method of treatment may be speedily cured.
CURE OF NEURALGIA.
By the transmission of motion through the Manipulator and other ingeniously devised apparatus and machinery, we increase the functional power and activity of the muscles, and thereby diminish morbid sensibility of the nerves, which is present in neuralgia. Prolonged and excessive nervous action is attended with too great a rush of blood to the nerve-centers, which can only be relieved by increasing the flow in the muscles. Congestion, or hyperaemia, in the spinal cord or brain, or both, is a condition ever present in neuralgia. The application of motion through the manipulator causes the blood to flow to the muscles, thus relieving nervous congestion and consequent neuralgia.
CURE OF PARALYSIS.
In no single disease has the transmission of motion through the Manipulator proved more thoroughly efficacious than in _paralysis_. The most prominent requirements in these cases seem to be the following:
Excess of blood in the brain and spinal cord needs to be removed and diverted to parts in which it will be useful instead of obstructive.
The contractile power of the capillaries should be improved.
The quality of nutritive fluids should be improved by the promotion of oxidation through increased circulation.
These and many more wants of disordered nerves, are readily supplied by transmitted motion.
The Manipulator combines, in a single ingenious mechanical contrivance, the several movements best adapted for the promotion of healthy functional activity.
CURE OF DEFORMITIES.
"Deformities arising from _paralysis and contractions of muscles and tendons_, producing stiffened joints and distorted limbs, are of common occurrence. A rational explanation of the wonderful curative results which follow the employment of transmitted motion in these cases may not be without interest to the reader. The muscles are composed of _bundles_ of little fibers which glide upon one another in every movement. Another set of fibers called _connective tissue_, holds the fibers together in bundles or separate muscles, and interlaces and crosses them in every direction. Now, if these fibers remain long in a fixed position, or are involved in inflammation, there is danger of adhesions forming between them, producing permanent immobility; gliding movements are interfered with, and the muscle ceases to perform its function. Inflammation gives rise to effusion, or the formation of a kind of cement which binds together the muscular fibers and prevents motion.
Rubbing, kneading, and actively manipulating the affected parts with that intensity of administration secured by the manipulator, rends asunder and breaks up these minute adhesions, re-establishing gliding motions, causes absorption of effused materials, and restores the affected part to a normal condition.
[Illustration: Fig. 15.
Muscular fibre highly magnified.]
The deformed limb is straightened by the filling out of the muscle-cells, and increasing the length and also the nutrition of the affected muscles. No pulling or _forced extension_ is required.
Deformity ceases when the conditions upon which it depends are removed by rational appliances, which are always agreeable. No brace, splints, or other confining appliances are necessary, except in rare cases in which the bones are very badly distorted.
In withered and deformed limbs, resulting from infantile paralysis, the manipulator furnishes the most agreeable, direct, and certain remedy. It restores nutrition, sensation, and power, and dispenses almost wholly with mechanical supports. Club-feet, wry neck, spinal curvature, hip-joint disease, white swellings, and stiffened joints, are all readily amendable to the curative effects of motion administered by the manipulator and other machinery.
Contracted and shortened muscles are gradually lengthened by vigorous, long-continued, and frequently repeated rubbing with the manipulator across their longitudinal fibers; bound-down and confined tendons are liberated and normal movements established.
DISEASES OF WOMEN.
Uterine and ovarian congestion, chronic inflammation, discharges, morbid enlargement, prolapsus, anteversion and retroversion, anteflexion and retroflexion, and other derangements of the womb and its appendages, are radically cured by the vibratory, rubbing, kneading, and other movements, administered through the manipulator and other mechanical appliances employed at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute.
To those who are tired of taking medicine, this mode of treatment commends itself as being both agreeable and efficient. There is no case too weak, nervous, or helpless for the use of this curative agent. It is entirely devoid of objectionable features, being _always applied outside the clothing_.
CAUSE OF FEMALE WEAKNESS. The true relations of cause and effect are very liable to be misunderstood, when considering the various diseases incident to the organs contained in the female pelvis. Treatment intended to be remedial is therefore very often misdirected and fails to afford relief, positive injury frequently resulting instead. When the nature of these diseases is properly understood, their cure can be effected with comparative ease.
These diseases are always attended with weakness, which is often very great, of the muscles that hold the diseased organs in position. The muscles forming the walls of the abdomen, and the diaphragm, or midriff, all of which are concerned in the act of respiration, become feeble and only partially perform their functions. In health, they act constantly, even during sleep, producing a rhythmical movement, which is communicated to the contents of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. This motion promotes a healthy circulation in the parts. In almost all affections of the pelvic organs, this normal condition is greatly diminished.
Diminution of the motions of respiration is attended with an increase of the amount of the blood in the pelvic organs, constituting an engorgement of the parts, called congestion, or inflammation. This gives rise to enlargement of the womb, ulcerations, tumors, and a multitude of kindred secondary effects, usually considered as the primary disease and treated as such. The contents of the cavity of the trunk, weighing several pounds, are allowed to gravitate down and rest upon the contents of the pelvis, forcing the congested uterus and ovaries down out of their natural positions, and often bending or tipping the womb in various directions. A long list of symptoms follows as the natural consequence of these abnormal conditions.
RATIONAL TREATMENT. Ovarian congestion and inflammation, inflammation of the uterus, ulceration of this organ, deranged menstruation, leucorrhea with the attendant pain, nervousness, and other derangements depending upon loss of supporting power in the abdominal muscles, all result from loss of the _natural_ motions of respiration, and consequent deranged circulation. These several conditions can be cured by removing their cause. When the power of the parts involved in the weakness is restored, all these morbid conditions disappear. Judicious cultivation of power in the weakened supports is attended with certain curative results. This is best accomplished by mechanical motion, by which the normal circulation is restored, inflammations and congestions are subdued, displacements corrected, ulcers healed, and functional activity is re-established.
RECAPITULATION.