WRITER'S CRAMP.
The treatment of this troublesome affection is to be conducted on the for the management of the other craft palsies, such as those met with amongst typists, telegraphists, sempstresses, pianists, violin players, etc.
Drug treatment is as a rule useless; massage and electricity often aggravate matters unless when employed in conjunction with the only real agent of value—absolute rest for a long period from the special muscular movements which have determined the affection.
Less than a three months' course of rest from all use of the pen or pencil is usually futile, but as the victim of writer's cramp is usually entirely dependent upon his occupation for the means of livelihood, this line of treatment is often almost impossible till he becomes entirely disabled, in which case the hopes of a permanent cure are rendered remote. Fortunately for him, however, he can safely employ his muscles in other specialised movements, and it is a good plan for him to commence type writing. In the intervals of rest from this occupation he should learn to
write with his left hand or to practise cautiously mirror writing and to employ massage and the continuous current to the affected muscles. This latter agent should be applied whilst rhythmical movements are being executed by the fatigued muscles at the same time.
As soon as he can advantageously resume his former occupation he should be advised, as suggested by Gowers, to begin practising a bold free hand, such as is produced by the action of the shoulder and arm muscles as in writing on a blackboard with chalk. Often considerable aid may be obtained by resorting to a new method of holding his pen or pencil, and many victims of writer's cramp can work with comparative ease by employing a penholder surrounded by a thick layer of cork or rubber about the middle of its shaft, which minimises the cramped position of the digits.