University of Virginia Library

SPLANCHNIC NEURASTHENIA

So important has this functional disturbance lately become in this country that it is high time that its proper mechanical treatment be analyzed. As Dr. Abrams so clearly puts it, the principal symptoms are: "Abdominal sensitiveness, tenderness of the liver and enlargement of that organ and gaseous accumulation in the bowels.''

In regard to the treatment we have to remember that physiologists have proven to us the fact that

the abdominal veins are very elastic and that they are really capable of holding at one time the total blood volume of the whole body. In splanchnic neurasthenia we have first of all to overcome the intense congestion of blood in the splanchnic and abdominal veins in general.

We begin with massage of the liver, so as to give the venous circulation a free outlet. The patient is lying on his left side with the right arm over his head and the operator carefully works over the whole hepatic region not forgetting the three splanchnic nerves. Many "paths and—practics'' would have you believe that they are the only ones who pay proper attention to organic nerve-supply, but it is not true. Fortunately we possess the plain writing of P. H. Ling and his true pupils published almost one hundred years ago to conclusively prove that the Swedish mechanical operator, or medical gymnast who is properly trained always is taught to attend to the nerve-supply of the individual organ or muscle that he may be treating. The massage of the abdomen in general is now given so as to improve the muscular tone and overcome the local congestion. Massage of the neck is also given.

As we gain ground we instruct the patient in some of those Swedish movements which compress the viscera and tone up the whole abdomen. Other-therapeutics in the shape of electricity and hot-cold sponge baths are most effective, and the reader who is specially interested in the rational

treatment of the affection, should procure that excellent work: "The Blues'' by Dr. Albert Abrams.