We have, in different parts of this work, referred to a large variety of ingeniously devised machinery and apparatus employed at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, in the treatment of chronic diseases. Although we can, on paper, give but a meagre idea of the variety and adaptability of these valuable mechanical appliances, yet we will endeavor to illustrate and explain a few of our machines for the application of transmitted motion.
Fig. 1 represents a machine, called the Manipulator, which transmits motion through suitable attachments, which are adjustable by means of the ratchet G, so as to reach all parts of the body. It is equally available for applying motion to the head, feet, or any intermediate part of the body. A is the lever, by which the two parts of the double-rubber are made to compress the arm or leg.
D is a single attachment for rubbing. It may be connected at either side of the machine, so as to present the rubbing surface in four different directions, as may be most convenient. It will act perpendicularly, horizontally, or diagonally, and from below or from above the part receiving the action, according to requirements. The shank of the rubber may have any special form to suit special cases. C is the foot holder. It communicates to the leg the semi-rotary or oscillating motion of the rock-shaft. It may be attached to either end of the rock-shaft. E is the hand holder, which, grasped by the hand, communicates motion to the arm, shoulder, and chest; or the hand In the position shown in Fig. 2, by means of the single rubber attachment, the manipulator acts upon the upper portion of the trunk, neck, head, and arms; by means of the hand-holder, upon the arms; by means of the double-rubber, upon the arms, shoulders, and scalp.
When the acting part or head is lowered to its extreme limit, the machine occupies the least space. In this position, by means of the foot-holder it communicates oscillation to the legs; by means of the single-rubber, it acts upon the feet, ankles, and lower leg; by means of the double-rubber, it acts upon the legs, including the feet, the patient either sitting or lying. In all of these applications of motion, energy travels from inanimate to animate matter; non-vital contributes to vital energy: and the various processes through which vital power is developed are promoted and carried forward in a degree till the point which constitutes health is attained.
The name, Manipulator, is very naturally applied to the instrument, the action of which resembles so much that of the living operator. It is, however, impossible for the unaided hand to impart the degree of rapidity necessary to secure the effects easily attained by this machine; and,
Motion, transmitted by the manipulator, exerts a curative effect in all chronic affections, and is not limited, as is sometimes supposed, to paralytic affections and deformities. In these latter affections it is a great assistance in effecting a cure; while, in chronic affections, whatever the local symptoms, it supplies the additional energy which is indispensable for recovery in all diseases of long standing.
Mode of Operation.—Fig. 4 represents the manipulator in operation. The machine is propelled by steam power at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, but may be worked by hand, as here represented. One arm is inserted between the double-rubbing pads, which are raised to about the height of the shoulders, the patient being seated at the side of the machine; the other hand is placed on the lever, and as much pressure is applied as is perfectly agreeable, care being taken to diminish the pressure at any part which is unusually sensitive. All portions of the arm from the shoulder down are successively included in the rubbers, while a suitable degree of reciprocating or rubbing action is obtained by giving motion to the wheel. To apply the same operation to the other arm, the patient If any portion of the extremity is affected with inflammation or swelling, it is necessary to apply the action described to the whole of the unaffected portion first; after this the affected part may be beneficially operated on, provided that the sensations are strictly heeded, and that it is so managed that only a comfortable feeling is produced.
In Fig. 5, the patient is so seated beside the machine that he can insert one thigh between the pads of the rubber, and also control the lever with the hand. It is sometimes more convenient to suspend a movable weight from the lever. While the machine is running, he can withdraw the leg gradually, as each portion receives its proper amount of action, till the whole, including the foot, becomes glowing with the effect. The boot or shoe affords no impediment to the effect, and should remain on.
Sometimes, especially in the beginning, or when the feet are habitually cold, it is better to apply the action only from the knees down. The rubbing-pad (d) may be attached to either side of the
The same operation may be applied also to the legs while the patient is standing. In Fig. 7, the back is presented to the action of the rubbing-pad. The action will, if desired, be made to reach from the neck to the hips, and even to the thighs. All sensitive portions of the back should at first be omitted, in order that they may be benefited by the counter-irritation or drawing away of the blood. This is easily produced by those familiar with the use of the machine. The rubbing of the back should be deferred till the close of each application, in order that the spinal centers may be relieved of hyperÆmia, or excess of blood.
The foot-holder is attached, as shown in Fig. 9, and brought by the means before described to a position to receive one foot at a comfortable elevation, the leg being extended, while the patient is seated in an ordinary chair in an easy position. The action is precisely like that above described as applied to the arm, and extends to the thigh and pelvis. If the knee is slightly flexed, the action is almost entirely confined to the lower leg. Each leg may be operated on in turn. Mode of Applying Mechanical Movements to Very Feeble Invalids.—Experience demonstrates that no degree of feebleness excludes the beneficial use of these operations. Invalids
The rubbing which is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be applied to all parts of the body in a recumbent position. A couch is required of similar construction to the vibrating couch, but with a rubbing-pad instead of vibrating heads acting through the Kneading. Kneading is a process applied chiefly to the abdomen. The purpose of this operation is to increase nutrition, the muscular power and action of the abdominal walls, and the function of the organs which they contain. Three modes of applying this operation by the mechanical apparatus are in use, effected by the Direct, the Rotary, and the Revolving Kneader.
The Direct Kneader. This resembles in form and action the vibrating instrument shown in Fig. 11. The impinging heads, however, are made broader, the motion greater in extent, and the rate of motion less than one-tenth of that employed for the purpose of vibrating. This slowness of motion seems to increase the action of the muscles. The Rotary Kneader. The action of the kneading heads in this form of apparatus, as shown in Fig. 13, is inward and upward alternately, and it is eminently well calculated to stimulate the action of the abdominal organs. The Revolving Kneader. In the form of kneading apparatus, shown in Fig. 14, two thick rollers, which move freely on axes at the extremities of arms, projecting on either In the methods of kneading above described, the degree of force acting on the body is governed by an arrangement for elevating or depressing the upholstered top of the couch upon which the patient rests, and through which the action is transmitted to the body. If this form of apparatus is driven at a rate ten times more rapidly than is desired for kneading, the effect is vibratory, and it is, in fact, used for that purpose.
THE CURE OF SWELLINGS AND TUMORS.The application of motion through the Manipulator promotes absorption, and thus all kinds of swellings and non-malignant tumors are made to diminish under its use. In these cases the vessels of the affected part are distended with stagnant blood, and a portion of the fluid passes through their walls, distending the surrounding tissues, which become more or less hardened. By the transmission of active motion to the affected parts, the contents of the vessels are urged forward; the outside fluids are thus permitted to return to the general circulation and become subject to the energetic vital action of the general system, local deficiencies of oxidation being increased to the normal degree, causing destruction of morbid matter and giving place for new COUNTER-IRRITATION AND REVULSION.Artificial means have always been employed to produce an energetic flow of blood in different parts of the body, thereby relieving morbid distention of the vessels, and consequent irritation and pain in neighboring parts. Cupping, hot applications, mustard, capsicum, blisters, and other irritants, are resorted to, but their effects, while generally very good in acute cases, are too transient to be of material aid in chronic affections. By the use of the Manipulator, we can produce the most thorough revulsive effects, operating upon large surfaces, and causing large masses of muscle to receive an increased amount of blood, thus drawing it away from parts oppressed by too great a supply, constituting engorgement. No injury is done to the parts acted upon; on the contrary, they are strengthened by the application, which can be repeated as often as necessary till relief is permanent. Thus, the head, heart, digestive organs, liver, chest, or whatever part is oppressed by excess of blood, may be speedily and permanently relieved. By means of this ability to relieve any part of the system from engorgement, and consequent inflammation and its results, are we enabled to permanently cure a large variety of chronic inflammatory, ulcerative, and nervous affections. Local inflammations by this method of treatment may be speedily cured. CURE OF NEURALGIA.By the transmission of motion through the Manipulator and other ingeniously devised apparatus and machinery, we increase the functional power and activity of the muscles, and thereby diminish morbid sensibility of the nerves, which is present in neuralgia. Prolonged and excessive nervous action is attended with too great a rush of blood to the nerve-centers, which can CURE OF PARALYSIS.In no single disease has the transmission of motion through the Manipulator proved more thoroughly efficacious than in paralysis. The most prominent requirements in these cases seem to be the following: Excess of blood in the brain and spinal cord needs to be removed and diverted to parts in which it will be useful instead of obstructive. The contractile power of the capillaries should be improved. The quality of nutritive fluids should be improved by the promotion of oxidation through increased circulation. These and many more wants of disordered nerves, are readily supplied by transmitted motion. The Manipulator combines, in a single ingenious mechanical contrivance, the several movements best adapted for the promotion of healthy functional activity. CURE OF DEFORMITIES."Deformities arising from paralysis and contractions of muscles and tendons, producing stiffened joints and distorted limbs, are of common occurrence. A rational explanation of the wonderful curative results which follow the employment of transmitted motion in these cases may not be without interest to the reader. The muscles are composed of bundles of little fibers which glide upon one another in every movement. Another set of fibers called connective tissue, holds the fibers together in bundles or separate muscles, and interlaces and crosses them in every direction. Now, if these fibers remain long in a fixed position, or are involved in inflammation, there is danger of adhesions forming between them, producing permanent immobility; gliding movements are interfered with, and the muscle ceases to perform its function. Inflammation Rubbing, kneading, and actively manipulating the affected parts with that intensity of administration secured by the manipulator, rends asunder and breaks up these minute adhesions, re-establishing gliding motions, causes absorption of effused materials, and restores the affected part to a normal condition.
The deformed limb is straightened by the filling out of the muscle-cells, and increasing the length and also the nutrition of the affected muscles. No pulling or forced extension is required. Deformity ceases when the conditions upon which it depends are removed by rational appliances, which are always agreeable. No brace, splints, or other confining appliances are necessary, except in rare cases in which the bones are very badly distorted. In withered and deformed limbs, resulting from infantile paralysis, the manipulator furnishes the most agreeable, direct, and certain remedy. It restores nutrition, sensation, and power, and dispenses almost wholly with mechanical supports. Club-feet, wry neck, spinal curvature, hip-joint disease, white swellings, and stiffened joints, are all readily amendable to the curative effects of motion administered by the manipulator and other machinery. Contracted and shortened muscles are gradually lengthened by vigorous, long-continued, and frequently repeated rubbing with the manipulator across their longitudinal fibers; bound-down and confined tendons are liberated and normal movements established. DISEASES OF WOMEN.Uterine and ovarian congestion, chronic inflammation, discharges, morbid enlargement, prolapsus, anteversion and retroversion, anteflexion and retroflexion, and other derangements of the womb and its appendages, are radically cured by the vibratory, rubbing, kneading, and other movements, administered To those who are tired of taking medicine, this mode of treatment commends itself as being both agreeable and efficient. There is no case too weak, nervous, or helpless for the use of this curative agent. It is entirely devoid of objectionable features, being always applied outside the clothing. Cause of Female Weakness. The true relations of cause and effect are very liable to be misunderstood, when considering the various diseases incident to the organs contained in the female pelvis. Treatment intended to be remedial is therefore very often misdirected and fails to afford relief, positive injury frequently resulting instead. When the nature of these diseases is properly understood, their cure can be effected with comparative ease. These diseases are always attended with weakness, which is often very great, of the muscles that hold the diseased organs in position. The muscles forming the walls of the abdomen, and the diaphragm, or midriff, all of which are concerned in the act of respiration, become feeble and only partially perform their functions. In health, they act constantly, even during sleep, producing a rhythmical movement, which is communicated to the contents of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. This motion promotes a healthy circulation in the parts. In almost all affections of the pelvic organs, this normal condition is greatly diminished. Diminution of the motions of respiration is attended with an increase of the amount of the blood in the pelvic organs, constituting an engorgement of the parts, called congestion, or inflammation. This gives rise to enlargement of the womb, ulcerations, tumors, and a multitude of kindred secondary effects, usually considered as the primary disease and treated as such. The contents of the cavity of the trunk, weighing several pounds, are allowed to gravitate down and rest upon the contents of the pelvis, forcing the congested uterus and ovaries down out of their natural positions, and often bending or tipping the womb in various directions. A long list of symptoms follows as the natural consequence of these abnormal conditions. Rational Treatment. Ovarian congestion and inflammation, RECAPITULATION.Motion properly transmitted to the human system by mechanical apparatus is transformed into other forms of force identical with vital energy, by which the ordinary processes of the system are greatly promoted. It increases animal heat and nervous and muscular power to the normal standard. It removes engorgement or local impediments to the circulation. The electrical induction produced renders it a most efficacious remedy for paralysis of all kinds. It removes interstitial fluids and causes rapid absorption and disappearance of solid and fluid accumulations. It is a powerful alterative, or blood-purifier, increasing oxidation and stimulating excretion. It diminishes chronic nervous irritability and promotes sleep. Deformities are easily cured without the cutting of tendons, or use of mechanical supports. It hardens the flesh by increasing muscular development and improves digestion and nutrition. World's Dispensary Medical AssociationIncorporated under Statute Enacted by the Legislature of New York.Dr. R.V. PIERCE, having acquired a world-wide reputation in the treatment of Chronic Diseases, resulting in a professional business far exceeding his individual ability to conduct, some years ago induced several medical gentlemen of high professional standing to associate themselves with him, as the Faculty of the World's Dispensary and Surgical Institute, the Consulting Department of which has since been merged into the Invalids' Hotel. The organization is duly incorporated under a statute enacted by the Legislature of the State of New York, and under the name and style of the "WORLD'S DISPENSARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION," of which Dr. PIERCE is President, and in the affairs of which he will, as heretofore, take an active and constant part. EUROPEAN BRANCH, No. 3 New Oxford Street, LONDON, Eng. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.Dr. R.V.PIERCE, having in the Fall of 1880 resigned his seat in Congress, has since been able to devote his whole time and attention to the interests of the Association, and those consulting our Medical and Surgical Faculty have the full benefits of his council and professional services. That he should prefer to give up a high and honorable position in the councils of the nation, to serve the sick, is conclusive evidence of his devotion to their interests and of love for his profession.
INVALIDS' HOTEL |