Definition

A painful affection of the voluntary muscles and the faciae (the fat that covers muscles and dips down between them). This disease often takes hold of the periosteum (lining membrane of the bone). When it affects the muscles in the back, it is called lumbago; when affecting the muscles in the chest, it is called intercostal neuralgia.

Etiology

This disease follows colds and exposure. People who develop it are subject to acetous fermentation in the stomach from eating food potentially acid and low in vitamin. Their habits are very much the same as those described under the head of chronic rheumatism. The constitutional disturbance is less than in the former disease.

Symptoms

The affection is entirely local. The constitutional disturbance is light. There is no fever, pain being the principal symptom. People who are afraid of pain will often make a very great deal of complaint, and they make their suffering much worse than it really is, by pitying and feeling sorry for themselves. For instance, if they have pain in the shoulder, they will set the muscles to keep the shoulder from moving, and it will not be long before they have more pain from tire, because of keeping the muscles fixed, than on account of the disease itself.

This is true whatever the location. One of the principal varieties is lumbago. When the patient gets this trouble, he will often put his muscles on guard, to keep from moving the sensitive point; and in the course of a day the muscles that stand guard will be so worn out, and so very sensitive and painful, that the lumbago, plus the muscle fatigue, will make a very large-appearing disease, when there is really nothing to do for the patient, unless he can be induced to lie down and relax. Where the disease is in the neck, known as "stiff-neck," the same distressing condition may be brought about, if the patient does not know the injurious influence of keeping his muscles set or on guard.

Treatment

Rest, and, if the patient is in very great pain, he should go to bed. Previous to going to bed, however, he must be told how necessary it is for him to poise--relax. Then a hot bath should be taken, the water being as hot as can be borne. The patient should remain in the bath until relieved, even if it requires an hour. Then he should go to bed, and be lightly covered. The bowels should be made to move with enemas. The patient should drink all the water possible for several days--two or three quarts during the day. Positively no food must be eaten until the pain is entirely controlled. Then meat eating must be given up, except about three times a week. Any kind of fruit (except perhaps the citrus fruits) should be given for two meals a day--morning and noon. At the noon meal a little cream or cottage cheese may be added to the fruit. Supper should consist of cooked, non-starchy Vegetables and salad, with meat added about three times a week. On the evenings when meat is not taken, one of the decidedly starchy foods may be taken with the salad and vegetables.