HOME TREATMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 224, 21 September 1932, Page 11

HOME TREATMENT.

CRAMP AND ITS CAUSES. (By PERITyS.) I lave been asked to write a note upon cramp, or painful muscular spasm; the involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, generally in the calf of the leg, and usually at night. There are, however, many forms of muscular spasm related to affections of different parts of the body and not apparently of a common origin. There are cramps or spasms of the throat in hydrophobia, of the gullet in hysteria, of the intestine in colic, also of the bladder and lower bowel, and the bronchial tubes in some cases of asthma, not all of them painful, but beyond voluntary control, and seemingly due to excessive nervous stimulus. One very common spasm is that of the diaphragm, causing .hiccough, and in certain cases this form of cramp produces intense suffering, and in milder cases is capable of continuing to the point of exhaustion. In strychnine poisoning, in tetanus, in some forms of squinting, and in writers' cramp, and other examples of over-exhausted muscles, there are tonic spasms wholly involuntary.

Authorities differ as to the cause (or causes) of muscular epasm. as it ranges from digestive disturbance to toxic irritation, of both nerves and muscle tissue, and to pressure or irritation within the brain or of the nerve fibres in their distribution of motor stimuli to various parts of the body. The voluntary extension of the cramped muscles, or the contraction of an opposing muscle, will relieve a simple case of cramp, hot fomentations and rest the cases due to over-exertion. Vigorous massage with a stimulating liniment, and the taking of an alkaline drink if relief is delayed; and if the trouble is recurrent iodide of potassium, in doses of five grains, is recommended. In hiccough that is obstinate, lie flat on your back, keep the mouth closed, and take long, slow, deep - breaths, fully expanding the lungs at each breath. Do this steadily and patiently for several minutes, and the, hiccough will become more and more infrequent, until it stops. In what is known, as "diaphragatic pleurisy" there is no remedy for the pain (to act immediately) but morphia, and the same may be said of cramp of the diaphragm of alcoholics.

Referring above to writer's cramp brings to mind -k list of occupational cramps, violinists, typists, telegraphists, hammer-men, milkers, and all those whose employment involves the constant repetition of the use of the .same group of muscles. For all these rest is the cure.