Fat and blood : an essay on the treatment of certain forms of neurasthenia and hysteria / By S. Weir Mitchell.

  • Mitchell, S. Weir (Silas Weir), 1829-1914.
Date:
1907, ©1905
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Fat and blood : an essay on the treatment of certain forms of neurasthenia and hysteria / By S. Weir Mitchell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    stretching the rigid groups to overcome the spasm, which in large muscle-masses may be done by grasping with both hands, taking care not to pinch, and pulling the hands apart in the line of the muscle's long axis, thus stretching the muscles. Pressure will sometimes accom- plish the same end, and it will be found in cer- tain cases that by kneading during action,—that is, while the patient endeavors to produce vol- untary contraction,—the result will be better. Except in the most spastic states, a certain de- gree of relaxation is possible by effort, though not without practice, and this has to be con- stantly inculcated and encouraged. After a period varying in length according to the case, lessons in co-ordinating movements are begun. It is best for the patient's encouragement to start with the least affected muscles, so that, see- ing the good results, he may be stimulated to persistent effort. The lessons differ only in detail from those given in the list under tabes. Im- provement is slower than in ataxia. In birth-palsy cases not much can be accom- plished in the way of education, beyond the attempt by such means as ordinary gymnastics and lessons in drill and walking offer, until the