The treatment of spinal curvature by continuous extension : a modification of the plaster-of-Paris jacket : (read before the New York County Medical Society, January 27th, 1879) / by John A. Wyeth.

  • John Allan Wyeth
Date:
[1879]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The treatment of spinal curvature by continuous extension : a modification of the plaster-of-Paris jacket : (read before the New York County Medical Society, January 27th, 1879) / by John A. Wyeth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    THE TREATMENT OF SPINAL CURVATURE BY CON- TINUOUS EXTENSION—A MODIFICATION OF THE PLASTER-OF-PARIS JACKET. [Read before the New York County Medical Society, January 27th, 1879.] BY JNO. A. WYETH, M.D. Extension, fixation and rest.—These are the cardinal principles in the treatment of lesions of the vertebral column. Add to these good hygiene and judicious medication and we have the sum of all the in- dications. Instrumentation can be successful, only as it meets these demands and when we speak of the wheel crutch, the Taylor brace, and the Plaster-of-Paris Jacket, we witness in each of these a decided advance in our progressive science. Each of these has its merits and demerits. Each has its champions and advocates among some of our most earnest workers and practical surgeons. It would be well for us, it would be better for humanity, if in the liberal spirit of true progress, we could, regardless of individuality, lay aside our prejudices, meet in the broad field of scientific discus- sion, courteously compare our notes, and profit by that wisdom which is found in a multitude of council. The plaster jacket was a great stride in the right direction. Its simplicity attracted universal attention, and it spread like wild-fire be- fore the blasts of its enthusiastic advocates. Some of us thought that we had found the tie plus ultra in the management of Pott’s disease; that sufferers had now nothing more to do but be suspended by the arms and neck, enveloped in Plaster- of-Paris and be cured. But let us ask pointedly, has it fulfilled these expectations ? Does it meet fully all the indications in Pott’s disease ? I believe it comes nearer it than any other method yet made known to the public, but it has failed at times; it has its faults and these I shall try to point out, and hope to suggest the remedy. In order to obtain the first great requisite, extension, by this method, the patient is suspended by the neck and arms, lifted well up from the floor, the lower portion of the body is the counter-extending force, the