Some points of recent treatment in the deformities of children : the presidential address to the West Kent Medico-Chirurgical Society / by John Poland.

  • Poland, John, 1855-1937
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Some points of recent treatment in the deformities of children : the presidential address to the West Kent Medico-Chirurgical Society / by John Poland. 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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    right side, may be detected by careful examiuation before any marked scapular projection ensues. The lumbar curves are much more amenable to treatment than the dorsal or cervical, and almost always yield good results. We must not, however, forget that they may be due to differences in the length of the lower extremities, and are to be treated accordingly. In the treatment of Scoliosis, I am of opinion that better results follow the use of gymnastics than even movable jackets. All treatment may be summed up as follows :— (1.) The spinal column must be made more flexible. (2.) The muscles must be strengthened. (3.) Faulty habits must be corrected, and the young patient made conscious of the corrected positions, so as to assist by his own efforts in maintaining them, and relieving pain. But each case should be made a study by itself, for the treatment is sure to be unsatisfactory unless its peculiarities are carefully investigated and noted by the surgeon, and the exercises and drilling modified according to the special indications of the case. These exercises may be carried out at home or in the special gymnasia of which there are plenty in London ; always remembering that the exercise, or whatever move- ment is employed, should never be carried so far as to pro- duce fatigue; and also]^that, during the usual daily period of rest in the afternoon, lying on the back is essential in all cases. A special chair with an oblique seat, raising the sole of the boot, a well-padded mattress, Barwell's loop girth—all these are useful details. Massage is also a useful adjunct to treatment. An almost complete recovery may be looked for in young