File:Rational therapy (1919) (14773015251).jpg

Identifier: rationaltherapy00lerc (find matches)
Title: Rational therapy
Year: 1919 (1910s)
Authors: Lerch, Otto
Subjects: Therapeutics, Physiological Therapeutics
Publisher: (Troy, N.Y.) The Southworth Company
Contributing Library: Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine
Digitizing Sponsor: Open Knowledge Commons and Harvard Medical School

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tificial comb pressed forward, emptying thevessels to any desired depth. Under this treatment, which whenproperly given, is very agreeable to the patient, the surfacereddens rapidly and soreness and pain disappear. Only largeareas of muscles can be treated with thismethod. For instancethe muscles of the back, gluteals, thighs and calves of the legs,etc. The hands must, as in the other forms of massage, glidebackward and must not be raised from the surface, and the move-ment must be gentle, firm and elastic. The beating tapotement is used to cause muscular con-tractions and follows petrissage. The blows must be light andelastic and must be delivered in rapid succession. Only portionsof the body that are well covered by fat and muscle can be thustreated. Various methods are in use and all may be employednow and then with advantage. The masseur may select either,as indicated; of greatest importance is the elasticity of theblow, light yet strong. If this is not strictly observed the blows
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massage; and ^xdrcise;. 107 will be painful. Nervous patients, neurasthenics and hystericsare rarely suited for the treatment of tapotement. (Figure 4). The blows may be delivered with the ball of the little finger,the hand in the vertical position and formed to a fist. The blowsare usually given in rapid succession and on striking the surfaceare immediately reflected upward. In another but equally effec-tive method the fingers are spread fanlike and as soon as theborder of the little finger hits the surface, the wrist is lightlyturned and allows finger after finger to strike the surface. Bothhands may be used at the same time, the one coming down afterthe other. The wrist movements are outward and the beatingis done in rhythmic succession—a. procedure more agreeable tothe patient. This method allows innumerable blows to be givenin very short time and the effect resembles that of the Faradiccurrent. (Figure 5). If a small area is treated the finger tips may be used comingdown in rap

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