Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 251, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1914 — TREATMENT OF MUSCLE STRAIN. [ARTICLE]

TREATMENT OF MUSCLE STRAIN.

Pains Often Mistaken for Rheumatism, Pest the Gore. A muscle which has been strained either by overuse or by use in some unaccustomed way often gives rise to such severe symptoms as to lead to a diagnosis of some other and more serious trouble. This affection is not the same as that called myalgia, which Indeed means pain in a muscle, but Is usually of rheumatic or neuralgic nature. The trouble here meant Is something less serious, being nothing more than a strain. It Is easy to see that any muscular pain may be mistaken for rheumatism or some acute inflammation, as it may give rise to precisely the same painful symptoms. For example, when It occurs in some muscle on the right side of the abdomen It has been known to look for a time •sadly like the colic of appendicitis, and It haß time and again been treated' as true rheumatism. There are several ways in which the> facts may be discovered. On «U6Btloning it will be found that some muscle or certain set of muscles has been subjected to an unusual strain and is in a state of mutiny In consequence. The pain will be worse at night and better in the morning after 'the night's rest, proving that it has a basis of fatigue. Furthermore, It will yield entirely to a proper amount of rest. In fact this one thing rest comprises the Whole of the treatment. When the abdominal muscles are Involved there must be rest In bed, with perhaps some Anodyne to deaden the pain at first —this, of course, to** be given , only, -under the order of a physician. In milder cases the patients can go about their usual duties If fitted properly with an abdominal belt.

When the muscles at the back of the neck are affected it Is a great relief always to use a hlghbacked chair, and when the pain Is In the arm a allng should be worn. When this condition" of painful muscle is found In conjunction with £ .general loss of tone, as shown by lack.of appetite, pallor and debility, then In addition to local rest to the particular muscle Involved a general course of tonic treatment should be Instituted. When the, trouble can be traced directly to the dally vocation .of the sufferer A change should be —l* the habits for a time where

this Is possible, imrortunateiy wren most persons their dally bread will depend upon the use of Just this particular muscle, and In these cases there is nothing to do bu* placate the part with all the rest that can he given It and help it with mechanical support for a time If this Is feasible.