A letter addressed to Sir Benjamin C. Brodie, bart. : containing observations and strictures upon certain parts of his Lecture on spinal complaints / by Edward Harrison.

Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter addressed to Sir Benjamin C. Brodie, bart. : containing observations and strictures upon certain parts of his Lecture on spinal complaints / by Edward Harrison. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    their proper situation, while this was doing, one person pulled at the shoulders, another being employed to stretch her legs and feet in an opposite direction. The usual bandage was then placed round her chest, and she was ordered to remain constantly flat upon her back. October 21. The frictions and bandage have been repeated daily, the manipulations every other day. A wooden shield, adapted to her back, and contrived so as to rest against the most projecting parts, being fastened under her bandage, she was put into the usual position. The lumbar curve is nearly effaced, the other is already much fainter, and the scapulae are separated to a greater distance from each other. The depression of the ribs is less; the oblong ridge in front has nearly disappeared ; the ribs on the right side have risen higher; the chest looks rounder and more expanded. November 13. The features have recovered their natural aspect, and the health is particularly good ; the lumbar vertebrae are entirely rectified; the front ribs on the left side are quite restored, those on the right are more elevated. She looks better in every respect, and the spine is become nearly straight. Menses re-appeared within the last fortnight. March 10, 1821. The spine and ribs have returned to their natu- ral situations; the form of the trunk, which was originally very fine, is entirely restored, she looks extremely well, is in excellent spirits, and good health.* June 5. The patient is plumper, and considerably taller, since she adopted the reclining posture. Her face is become florid, open, and juvenile ; she preserves her excellent figure and good health ; appetite, menses, and bowels, are all regular. May 1, 1822. She has been completely recovered by the process adopted, from hideous deformity, and strongly marked precursory symptoms of pulmonary consumption. The latter had made consider- able progress towards the second stage, but soon began to abate (as I have seen in other instances) after the treatment commenced.f * The treatment of spinal disorders situate in the ligaments, of which this case offers an example, to be successful, must be conducted according to the rules observed in other dislocations. These, and their application to deformities of the backbone, are explained in my “ Pathological and Practical Observations on Spinal Complaints,” to which I refer the reader for more particular information. t Several cogent reasons may be given for the improvement of general health, and removal of constitutional diseases, during the cure of spinal complaints. 1st. Patients under the treatment are kept in a state of uniform repose. The sanguineous circulation is regular, tranquil, and exempt from violent or sudden emotions. The living powers arc,