This case is reported because it illustrates one of the possible dangers of indiscriminate mechanotherapy.
History.
—A woman, aged 22, single, eleven hours before admission, had been seized with severe abdominal pain and slight vomiting shortly after eating radishes, which had always disagreed with her. A person calling himself an osteologist, and claiming to be an improvement over the osteopath, was called in and subjected her to vigorous abdominal massage, followed by manipulation of the neck. To accomplish this, he threw her face downward over his knee, striking her abdomen against his knee. This caused an immediate increase in the abdominal pain, of such a degree that the osteologist was ordered out of the house. Pain continued, became colicky in character, and vomiting increased. The patient was taken to the hospital for treatment. The past history was negative, except for some indigestion and some slight pain on menstruation.
Examination.
—The