Manipulator Folded.]

The general practitioner often endeavors to overcome the inertia of the
nerve-centers and nerves by means of specific irritants, with the view
of exciting the power-producing function, of compelling the weakened and
disabled centers to evolve more power. By such stimulation and forcing,
he places a burden on the weakest parts. The compulsory and ineffectual
endeavor of the weak parts to act in response to such stimulation is
very liable to make undue drafts upon the capacity to act, which only
end in exhaustion of the little remaining power instead of its
re-enforcement. Cases which were previously curable by direct and
appropriate means, are thus forever placed beyond the reach of remedies.
No powerful stimulating or depressing medicines are indicated in any of
the various forms of the affection. In paralysis it should be our aim to
improve local and general nutrition, to relieve local congestions and
inflammations, to produce absorption of deposited matters, and to force
an abundance of blood through palsied muscles, from which they may
derive a proper supply of nutriment, and to which they may give up the
products of waste. All this can be accomplished by massage, mechanical
movements, regulation of the atmospheric pressure on the body, baths,
and proper physical culture.

In paralysis, there is a diminution or total loss of the contractile
property of the muscles to which the affected nerve fibers are
distributed; consequently the capillaries and small veins are not
compressed, as in health, and the blood is not forced on through them
towards the heart; hence there is a backing-up of the circulation,
passive congestion, and all the evils incident to that condition ensue.

[Illustration: Fig. 11.
Oscillating the Arms and Chest.]

_Mechanical movements_ properly applied to the affected limbs, or parts
of the body, accomplish the same results as contraction of the muscles.
They compress the capillaries and veins and thus force the blood on
through these vessels towards the heart. There is a constant pressure in
the arteries, hence the flow of blood in the capillaries is always
towards the veins, and, when it gets into the veins, it is prevented
from flowing back by the valves in those vessels.

A proper circulation of the blood through the disordered parts is thus
effected, and, as the result, they receive an abundance of nutriment,
and their waste products are promptly carried away to the e