CONTENTS. CXVIII. The Lever Lift. By Geo. F. Foote, M. D. CXIX. The Plea of Insanity as a Defense in Cases of Homicide. By Samuel Worcester, M. D. CXX. Constitution and By-laws of the Homœopathic Medical Society of the State of New York. CXXI. List of Officers of the Society, 1850-1872. CXXII. List of Honorary Members. CXXIII. List of Permanent Members. CXXIV. List of Delegates, and Classification of Counties with reference to the elec tion of Delegates. CXXV. List of Members of the American Institute of Homœopathy, residing in the State of New York. CXXVI. Table of Annual and Regular Meetings of State, County and Local Socie ties. CXVIII. The Lever Lift. By GEO. F. FOOTE, M. D. The exercise obtained by the use of a lifting machine, as an auxiliary to medical treatment, cannot be too highly recommended, and, when judiciously used, becomes available in most forms of chronic diseases, particularly in patients whose habits of life are sedentary. In its use, caution is at first necessary, to prevent over-lifting. It is safe not to lift more than can be raised with ease. The patient should stand erect, place his hands at his side, and adjust the length of the straps so that the handles will just reach the ends of the fingers. The patient, while keeping the body erect, should bend the knees so as to be able to grasp the handles, then, with the lungs inflated and the head thrown back, straighten the limbs to such an extent as to lift the weight and hold it for at least one minute, meanwhile taking deep inspirations. Each exercise may be repeated three or four times, at intervals of five minutes. An increase of the weight lifted of five or ten pounds may be added from time to time, as the newly developed strength will permit. This exercise may be repeated daily. After each effort, a rest in the recumbent position is frequently of advantage. The most suitable time of day for this exercise is usually about ten o'clock in the forenoon; the time of day, however, is not as important as the position of the body and the manner of lifting. It is important that the body be kept in an erect position. The spine should not be turned in any direction from a straight line. The amount of force to be applied, i. e., the weight to be lifted, should be such as to be accomplished without straining or overtasking the muscles of the back or extremities. Each daily exercise should be commenced by raising a less weight than that lifted on the previous day. During each effort the weight should be gradually increased, so as to exceed the amount raised on any previous occasion. This effort puts into active exercise nearly all the muscles in the body. It very thoroughly excites capillary circulation. The feet, if cold, become warm. Local congestions of internal organs is diminished. When the circulation becomes languid, the extremities cold, and a general languor of mind and body exists, this exercise proves of very great advantage. A chronic tendency to coldness of the feet is effectually overcome. Local congestions of any of the internal organs are gradually and effectually relieved. A general glow is made to pervade the system; the muscular strength is decidedly increased; the muscles themselves acquire greater firmness, and with this general augmentation of strength, will be found, in many cases, a corresponding diminution of disease. While I would recommend patients to seek the advice of a physician regarding the cases in which this remedial agent may prove of benefit, I would especially recommend its use in most forms of hemorrhoids and uterine diseases, paralysis and physical debility resulting from mental fatigue. I would further advise caution regarding its indiscriminate use, and also urge its continued application in promising cases, even when at first it fails to produce beneficial results. The machine, which is well illustrated in the accompanying figure, is not expensive, any carpenter being able to build one at an expense not exceeding twenty-five dollars. It is similar to a steelyard or scale beam, with large movable weights of sand bags, stone or iron at the long end of the lever. It has also a sliding weight, on a graduated scale, for smaller divisions. The length of the straps at the side, to which stirrup-like handles are attached, is regulated by a buckle. It will be found to answer all the purposes of a more expensive machine. |