CHAPTER IV.

Application of the motive power of the human body to determine the character of a large class of chronic diseases of the organs and limbs-Symptoms produced by it invariable-Cause of the symptoms-Tuberculations-Cause of the tuberculations.

We have in the former chapters given a concise view of the construction and of the motive power of the human body, as well as of the laws by which that power is governed. It now becomes a matter of interesting enquiry, to ascertain whether a knowledge of them can be applied to useful purposes for the benefit of mankind? The answer must be in the affirmative; for by adding to our general stock of knowledge, we elevate the character of our species, we add much to and increase our ability to attain more perfect information in its several departments.— Among these, the knowledge by which we are enabled to repair the different parts of the human structure, when they are out of order, and to maintain them in a perfect or healthy state is of the very first importance. And as the different structures are subject to different injuries, it becomes a matter of great importance to ascertain their natures, because different materials will be required to repair the different injuries to the different structures.

These injuries may be very naturally divided into three or four classes, the nature of all which may be invariably known by certain phenomena produced by the action of these forces.

The nature or symptoms of the injury, or of the disease in one of these classes called hypertrophy or chronic enlargement of the internal structures or organs may be known by the action of these forces under pressure.

SYMPTOMS.

In order to determine whether a person is affected with tubercular disease of the organs, we press with a finger or thumb on the vertebral spaces along the spine. If the person has the disease, there will be a place or places along the spine where pressure will produce pain. This pain, however, will be a mere tenderness of the part where pressure is made, in the passive state of the disease; but when the disease is active, this pain, (produced by pressure) will dart into the diseased organ with a violence which increases with the intensity of the disease.

We know, therefore, that if pressure on any of these spaces produces pain, the person must have the disease, because the secreting glands in the organs connected by their appropriate chain of nerves with these spaces must be enlarged and irritable when pain is so produced.

In order to determine whether the disease affects any part of the head, we press on the back part and sides of the first joint of the neck, and under the jaws. See Fig. 20.

In determining whether one or both lungs are tuberculated, it is necessary to press on the spaces on both sides of the last cervical or large and last joint of the neck and first dorsal, or first joint of the back; and if pressure on the right side produces pain, the right lung is tuberculated; but if pain is produced by pressure on the left side, the left lung may be tuberculated, or it may be the heart instead of the lung which is tuberculated, and produces this symptom, or both may have the same disease at the same time. In order to determine which is diseased, we may inquire whether the patient has a cough and expectorates, and whether he be subject to a hard beating of the heart. If he has cough and expectoration, the left lung is tuberculated, but if he has no cough, the heart, on examination, will be found to beat much harder than natural, and the sound of its action will be loud, and precisely like that of the churn, in churning.

In tubercula of the stomach, and its immediate appendages, called dyspepsia, pressure between the 2d, 3d, and 4th, and sometimes 5th and 6th dorsal spaces, (counting from the last or large joint of the neck,) produces pain.

In tubercula of the liver, called chronic inflammation of the liver, or liver complaint, pain is produced by pressing on the right side, between the 7th and 8th, and 8th and 9th dorsal spaces, and directly opposite to the lower part of the right shoulder blade.

In tubercula of the spleen, pain is produced by pressure on the left side of the last named, or 7th and 8th, and 8th and 9th dorsal spaces, and opposite to the lower part of the left shoulder blade.

In tubercula of the right kidney, pain is produced by pressure on the right side of the space between the 12th or last dorsal, and first lumbar vertebræ, and in tubercula of the left kidney, pain is produced by pressure on the left side of the 12th dorsal and 1st lumbar.

In tubercula of the uterus, called leucorrhoea, chlorosis, amenorrhoea, and menorrhagia, pain is produced by pressure, between the 2d and 3d, and 3d and 4th, and sometimes 4th and 5th lumbar spaces, or between all the joints of the small of the back, except the 1st and 2d.

In tubercula of the genital organs, pain is produced by pressure, between the 5th or last lumbar space, and the os-coccyx.

This pain, produced by pressure, is always more or less severe, in proportion to the severity of the disease. If there is but little disease, the pressure will produce but little pain; but if there is much disease, the pain will be severe.

The disease, in whatever organ it may be, is always either active, or passive, and if it is active, when such pressure is made, this pain, on every repetition of the pressure, will dart into the diseased organ, with a force or violence, proportioned to the intensity of the disease.

These are the natural and scientific symptoms of the disease in its active and passive state in the organs-they are produced by natural causes, and are very plain, invariable, and easily understood.

When the disease has commenced in one organ or limb, it is frequently propagated from that to another organ or limb, as in the case of Mrs. J. P. -cases in which it is propagated from the tonsils and uvula to the lungs, and from the stomach to the lungs, and from the liver to the stomach, and from the uterus to the ankles, legs, and stomach, are very common.

In distinguishing the disease, and in tracing it in the different organs and limbs, I commenced and pursued the examinations as detailed in the cases appended to this work as I commonly do, without any previous knowledge of them. Any person of common education and capacity may easily distinguish the disease in the same way, in any of the or limbs.

organs

In examining patients with chronic diseases, it should not be forgotten that the disease is sometimes in an active, but most commonly in a passive state. If the disease were constantly in an active state, patients would die with it in a few weeks, like those with acute diseases, instead of living as they do months, and sometimes years. We can always tell, ir an instant, whether it is in an active or passive state, in the organs, by pressure in the proper places on the spine. If the disease is active, the pain produced by the pressure will dart into the diseased organ with a violence proportioned to the intensity of the disease, but if it is in a passive state, pressure produces pain in the spine only, which does not dart into the diseased organ as in its active state, but is more or less severe in proportion to the progress of the disease.

In many cases of the disease affecting the different organs, pain more or less severe is felt along the vertebræ, when none is felt in the diseased organ. We frequently find the same phenomenon in disease of the hip-joint, where the pain is in the knee instead of the hip.

Patients consequently refer the disease to the place where the pain is felt, and some physicians who have no more knowledge than they, agree with them, and apply their remedies to the same place. Large blisters have been applied to the knee, and cupping, blistering, setons, issues and the moxa to the spine in such cases without mercy during many months, and an enormous amount of suffering has been frequently endured in this way with little or no benefit to the patient.

Pain is also produced by pressure on the chronic enlargements or white swellings of the joints and limbs.

In these cases large tubercles, as well as smaller ones will be found on one or both sides of the neck or groin, and always on the same side with the disease.