IRON GRIP OF CRAMP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 7 (Supplement)

IRON GRIP OF CRAMP

SUBJECTS OF ATTACKS Some people are all their lives subject to attacks of cramp, beginning even in childhood to suffer from one of tho most painful and obscure of spasmodic afflictions, states a medical writer in the Manchester Guardian. It affects the toes most often, or the trouble may occur in the calf of the leg. where it is still more excruciating and difficult to deal with, turning, as it does, the muscles into rigid, almost stony protuberances. Men and women seem to be afflicted alike, although j women, are peculiarly prone to cramps during pregnancy, and many middleaged "and old people who never knew what a cramp was when they were young become periodic martyrs to it in one form or another, the worst of all being, of course, cramp of the stomach muscles, which is the great terror of the bather in cold seas and has caused as manv fatal accidents to swimmers as any external and discoverable circumstance. Obscure Causes The causes are obscure, although there seems some grounds for connecting the trouble with a rheumatic or nervous condition, this in spite of the fact that many sufferers do not seem to be cursed with rheumatism in any other form. And, foolishly enough, little attention or sympathy is either demanded or given during attacks. Among the various treatments commonly suggested one finds chiefly massage and applications ox heat. Both are good. When the attack is slight and confined to the toes it can often be banished by vigorously rubbing, bending of the joints, and walking about the floor :in such a way that the feet are stretched and exercised. Or, again, immersion in water as hot as can be borne, or a dip in cold water followed by brisk friction with the hands, will do the trick. But there are occasions when these procedures are impracticable for one reason or another, and there are other times when the trouble is so severe that even long rubbing with :& liniment such as winter-green or camphorated oil will scarcely be efficacious. Shock to Muscles The only immediate and certain treatment for an attack is to prick the part affected with a needle so as to pierce the skin. The slight shock thus given summons the muscles to rebut it, and meanwhile the cramp disappears. For this reason professional swimmers often carry with them a sterilised needle in a tiny waterproof case which they keep tucked into the bathing-cap, when it can be quickly and easily drawn out. A similar provision is good for old or bedridden people who may have an attack when nobody is by. All that is necessary is to have the needle within reach and thoroughly clean. The mere fact of having it there is a comfort and will go some way to prevent attacks. The other longer treatments of rubbing, hot water or liniment massage tan be given later is necessary