RT Journal
T1 TReatment of pott's paralysis by extension.
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1889
FD September 28
VO XIII
IS 13
SP 454
OP 454
DO 10.1001/jama.1889.02401100022004
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1889.02401100022004
AB In the American Journal ofthe Medical Sciences, May, 1889, Dr. S. Weir Mitchell relates how, becoming dissatisfied with the progress of cases of paralysis from spinal caries under the customary treatment, he had recourse to the device of partial suspension by the head, which he believes to have been first systematically practiced by his father, Prof. J. K. Mitchell, with satisfaction to himself and benefit to his patients. The extension is made by a sling suspended from a curved iron made movable and set by a screw, which can be attached to a chair, thus allowing the patient to sit up and, if necessary, to be taken out of doors in that position. The amount of extension used is gauged by a spring balance, and, beginning with a slight pull and regulating the amount of force used by the patient's sensations, may be increased, in some cases, to as much