'Notes on Medical Gymnastics'

The two volumes of 'Notes on medical gymnastics' contain case histories of varying length for the period 1885-1901. Vol I covers 1885 [in fact Dec 1884] to 1898, Vol II 1898 to Dec 1901. There is a gap between January 1886 and February 1892 (except for one patient treated from December 1889 onwards): this is the period when Broman was involved in setting up his Institute and his work for the London School Board.

Both volumes are indexed with patients' names. The case histories are in Swedish with occasional remarks in English (sometimes quoted from patients) but the notes on treatment given by the Kellgrens in 1885 are in German. [J.H. Kellgren practised in Germany and would have been accustomed to using the language; presumably Broman copied his notes as they stood, likewise those of his brother.] During the first year patients from the foreign community, including Scandinavians, outnumber the English ones. In fact the number of cases remains small until 1895 when members of the British medical profession begin to refer patients to Broman for treatment.

Attached to a number of case-histories are letters either from the doctor/surgeon introducing the patients or from the patients or their relatives; the majority of the latter express gratitude, though two (see pp.99 and 100 of vol 2) draw attention to ineffective treatment: (Lady Hastings's daughter is 'not one scrap better' and Mrs Woolley-Hart says 'I have never felt worse'). However the medical men (some eminent) seem to have had no doubts about Broman's competence; they continued to recommend patients to him and some even submitted themselves or their families to his treatment.

The case-histories give name, age, sometimes occupation, nationality if foreign (including Jewish), name of person recommending patient (doctor/surgeon or relative/friend, etc), presenting disorder or symptoms, physical appearance, past history (e.g. Count Harrach, aged 26, mad since 5 or 6, confined in asylum several times; Major Rawlinson 'served in India and got sunstroke'; Mrs Turner 'nervous before marriage about 10 years ago'). Broman provides few details of treatment though he has occasionally inserted similar lists (of exercises?) to those of the Kellgrens in 1885 but in Swedish. Both sets are hard to interpret owing to use of abbreviated terms and symbols. For a few patients Broman gives measurements (chest, waist, shoulders, hips), sometimes before and after treatment and in one case, Jack Bliss, a boy of 10 a table of growth in height from November 1897 to June 1902.

Patients came to Broman for rehabilitation after illness and for treatment for poor development and postural defects (mainly children or young people). Injuries figure largely, as one would expect:- the causes bicycle (or tricycle) accidents; a motor accident; falls from horses and other riding mishaps in hunting, steeplechasing, etc.; sporting activities such as golf and fishing (strained forearm, etc.); fractures, dislocations, sprains, muscular strains, Achilles tendon injury, tennis elbow, etc. A pianist has cramp in her hands and a lady cellist suffers from sudden finger failure. Some patients are just 'run down'. Other disorders and symptoms mentioned:- sciatica, rheumatism, hysteria, neuralgia, indigestion, infantile paralysis, flat feet, constipation, hemiplegia, anaemia, lumbago, debility, menstrual pains, paralysis agitans, flatulence, neuritis, 'cellular disease', dyspepsia, gout (e.g. 'from much champagne-drinking'), respiratory problems, bronchitis, asthma, fatty degeneration of heart, arthritis, poliomyelitis, 'dilated stomach and gurgling of wind', liver wrecked by alcohol (retired Hussar), synovitis, juvenile incontinence, obesity (lady of 23 stone), epilepsy, neurasthenia, depression, kyphosis/scoliosis.

Broman's clientele is drawn mainly from the aristocracy, the Army and Navy, politics, the foreign diplomatic corps, the professional and commercial worlds, with a sprinkling of American travellers. The only exceptions (apart from a few servants) appear to be a Convent Garden porter, the foreman of a pickles factory and a Homoeopathic Hospital porter (all referred from hospital by regular medical 'patrons'). Occupations include stockbroker, banker, merchant, ship-owner, solicitor, barrister, company-promoter, clergyman, engineer, naturalist, musician, artist, dentist, schoolmaster, civil servant and theatrical manager.