On the exercise treatment of paralyses / by C.H. Bucholz.

  • Bucholz, C. Hermann (Carl Hermann), 1874-
Date:
1912?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the exercise treatment of paralyses / by C.H. Bucholz. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    says, the stimulus is above the neuron threshold. Furthermore, a stimulus which is not able to bring a stimulated condition so far that it is above the neuron threshold or that it has no actual effect prepares the way for the following stimulus, so that the latter may overcome the resistances given by passing through the neuron and passing over to the next neuron. In this way may be explained the greater effect of cumulation of stimuli. These resistances are not of an equal value, but are subject to a considerable change according to the amount and character of stimuli which pass along the neurons. Goldscheider speaks of a lowering of the neuron threshold and says that in ike manner as we notice at times a very marked lowering of the peripheral stimulus threshold so we have reason to suppose that similar conditions are present in the relation of the various neurons in the neuron threshold. On the other hand, by the lack of appro- priate stimuli the neuron threshold is raised and the resistances are increased, but by furnishing appropriate stimuli a lowering of the threshold may take place again, provided the anatomical lesion is not too severe. If we consider those theories to be true we know of no way in which the neuron threshold can be so well lowered as by a rational exercise treatment. 2b. The theories above enunciated help us further in under- standing the recovery in cases of cerebral paralysis where, as is supposed, substitution of other neurons for the destroyed ones takes place. ‘The clinical and experimental observation of Lazarus(11),* Foerster(3. a. 4.), Faure(2), and others lead to the conclusion that when the pyramidal tracks are destroyed on one side the subcortical centers and the associative neurons of the same hemisphere, as well as parts of the other hemisphere, may to.some extent take their places. These new paths are rough, their neuron thresholds are high. Nature has on hand certain resources for preparing the new tracks, but this natural power is usually too small. A real education, a supply of repeated adequate stimuli by exercise treatment, is necessary to take full advantage of these unused storehouses of nervous energy. 3. The third point to be considered is the training of the mus- * See further references to this point in Lazarus’ article (11).
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