Varicose veins is another ailment which may be beneficially influenced by radical massage of the parts affected. The condition being due to slug gishness of the blood which is being carried back to the lungs for oxidation it seems Nvi thin the scope of common sense to consider that manipulation of the parts in the direction of the current (toward the heart) will promote the passage of the blood. Stimulation of the vasomotor nerves may like wise be accomplished by therapeutic measures tending to exercise the tissues in which these organs run their course.
In certain diseases of the alimentary canal osteopathic treatment may be indicated, especially if the ailment is due to intestinal inertia. Careful manipulation of the intestine may bring about invigoration of the peri staltic movements, thus tending to remove an existing constipation, or relieve an accumulation of gases. That intestinal ulcers, or incarceration of faeces due to volvulus cannot be relieved by such methods needs hardly be mentioned.
In cases of paralysis, the circulation of blood in the affected parts may be beneficially influenced by radical massage. In apoplexy, which often renders one side of the body immovable, there is always the danger of atrophy because of the enforced inactivity of the muscles ; and if artificial exercise of the muscles can be maintained until a complete or partial recovery has taken place, it will certainly benefit the patient. The osteopaths claim that the appearance of rash or boils is a favourable symptom, and it is possible to meet this assertion with the statement that such an outbreak may be the first indication of a renewed activity of the vascular functions in the affected tissues. The treatment, in a case of apoplexy, is usually confined to the region of the upper vertebrve, the tendency being to divert the surplus of blood from the head downward to the diaphragmatic region. Prolonged kneading and stretching of the musculature of the chest and back, as well as enforced movements of the diaphragm, may tend to further this object.
In diseases of the kidneys and liver, the veins and arteries of the lower dorsal region are stimulated in the direction of their respective currents ; and, at the same time, deep massage of the musculature of the lumbar and coccy geal regions endeavours to reach the nerve-branches supplying these organs.
In diseases which are accompanied by fever, the osteopaths resort to ordinary medical measures for causing reduction of the temperature ; but at the same time they assert that it is necessary to massage the tissues in order to render them " too to harbour bacteria." From the various articles on febrile diseases. it will he seen that the treatment must needs be indicated by the underlying cause of the affection. Fever is a symptom, not a disease. It would therefore be ridiculous to set down any specific treatment for such diseases, since the indications arc so very varied in the different cases.
In some nervous diseases it is probably possible to effect an alleviation, if not a cure, by radical therapeutic measures. Rough massage of the various muscles, combined with hot baths and vigorous exercise, will cause relaxation of the muscles I an inhibition of the nervous functions. In cases of insomnia, for instance, such treatment would speedily indicate its possession of a certain value by causing the patient to sleep from mere fatigue. But in such a case the application of these methods would merely correspond to the administration of a narcotic ; that is, it would influence the symptoms, not the cause, of the ailment.
The examples here given will suffice to indicate the general manner of osteopathic treatment. Medical practitioners all over the world have long used many of the measures now employed by the osteopaths ; that is, they have taught that in many diseases such therapeutic agents as gymnastics, baths, etc., might with benefit be employed as part of the general treatment. They should, however, be used with a degree of caution.
OVARIES.—For structure and functions, see INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS (p. 169).