Stiffness General

Sources: Papers On Health

This is often an adjunct of old age, and sometimes

occurs in the young and middle-aged as the result of chills. In

neither case is it incurable, but for a cure rest is a first

necessity. If there be standing and working for twelve or fourteen

hours a day, we should not expect a cure at all. Rest must be had, at

least twelve hours out of the twenty-four, and it is well if sixteen or

even eighteen hours' rest can be take (see Rest). Then there must be

heating the spine with moist heat (see Fomentation). This is done to

revive the organs which supply oil to the joints, by giving fresh

vitality to the roots of the nerves which control these organs. But the

heating requisite to do this must be gently and persistently applied.

An hour's gradual heating is worth far more than half-an-hour's

half-burning. Then, after the spine fomentation, which must be

applied in bed, rub (see Massage) the back with hot olive oil for a

considerable time--say half-an-hour, if the patient can bear it (see

Exercise). Then the joints may be similarly fomented and rubbed at

another time, back and joints being treated, say, every other day. If

there be costiveness, treat as in Constipation, and give easily

digested food (see Assimilation; Digestion; Nourishment). Such

treatment daily should remove stiffness, even in very bad cases.