Spondylotherapy : physio-therapy of the spine based on a study of clinical physiology / by Albert Abrams.

  • Abrams, Albert, 1863-1924.
Date:
1912
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Spondylotherapy : physio-therapy of the spine based on a study of clinical physiology / by Albert Abrams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    45/708 (page 15)
    several tabetics in whom the knee-jerk was absent (by tapping the patellar tendon) it was very much exaggerated in either one or the other leg when one leg was crossed upon the other during sinusoidalization (with the interrupting electrode) of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. The foregoing phenomenon is discussed on page 28. 12. Achilles reflex.—The patient rests on his knees on a chair, with feet projecting over the edge of the latter. In the conventional way, striking the Achilles tendon results in flexion of the foot. With the patient in the same position the interrupting electrode is fixed over the sacrococcygeal articulation, where- as the large pad is applied in the lumbar region. Here, like- wise, the current evokes flexion of the foot. 13. Plantar reflex.—Evoked by sinusoidalization of the 1st and 2nd sacral segments. 14. Babinski reflex.—If, in the norm, we irritate the inner side of the sole of the foot from the heel to the toes by stroking with a moderately sharp object, all the toes undergo plantar flexion; but, if the great toe (and perhaps the other toes) undergoes dorsal flexion (Fig. 6), the Babinski reflex or phenomenon is present. As a rule the latter phenomenon indicates a lesion of the pyramidal tract. The observations of the author show that the Babinski reflex may be elicited in the norm by applying the interrupting electrode (large electrode over the sacrum) over the spinous process of either the 3d or 4th lumbar vertebra. Schneider’s explanation of the Babinski reflex is as follows; Plantar flexion of the toes (the normal reflex) de- pends upon a cortical component of the reflex, whereas dorsal flexion of the toes (Babinski reflex) depends on the spinal component. If then, there is a lesion of the pyramidal tract, the reflex for the plantar flexion is interrupted, whereas