Spondylotherapy : physio and pharmaco-therapy and diagnostic methods based on a study of clinical physiology / by Albert Abrams.

  • Albert Abrams
Date:
1918
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Spondylotherapy : physio and pharmaco-therapy and diagnostic methods based on a study of clinical physiology / by Albert Abrams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    108/1092 page 82
    the summation of this vibration which interferes with the elicitation of the dullness of the airless organs in juxtaposition to the lungs. If the vibration in question can be eliminated, the definition of the viscera will prove easy of attainment. Briefly, lung resonance is made up of two chief factors, viz., vibration of the air in the lungs and vibration of the sternum. The latter is essentially a sounding-board. Thoracic vibra¬ tion can be eliminated as far as possible by percussion of the organs at the end of a forced expiration, when there is comparatively little air in the lungs to vibrate, and by sup¬ pressing the vibrations of the sternum by means of the vibrosuppressor (Fig. 32). The apparatus is modeled after a tourniquet, consisting of a pelote, screw, band (6 cm. wide) and clamp for fixing the latter. It is so applied that the pelote rests on the xiphoid cartilage of the sternum. The pelote is made to compress the cartilage by aid of the screw with all the pressure the patient can tolerate. Percussion is then executed during the time the apparatus is employed and preferably during suspended respiration after forced expiration. In the absence of the apparatus, firm pressure made on the lower end of the sternum by the hand of an assistant will aid topo¬ graphic percussion during the time the patient has suspended respiration after forced expiration. More recently, the author has noted that suppression of the vibrations of the spinal column by aid of compression of the latter by the hand of an assistant is of material aid in percussing enlarged bronchial glands and defining the lower border of the liver, spleen and stomach. In many instances it is better to com¬ press the sternum and spine simultaneously. Among other signs of enlarged glands are those of Grancher (unilateral restriction of breathing) and Pctruschky (area of tenderness between the shoulder blades).
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