109 Loc. cit.
A novel mode of applying the galvanic current in scriveners' palsy has been recommended by Imlach.110 He has an electric desk so constructed that when the patient makes the movements of writing the extensors and flexors are alternately galvanized, the muscles being thus assisted in their movements. While this might be of service in some cases, it is entirely too complicated for practical use. He reports one case benefited by its use.
110 Francis Imlach, “Automatic and Other Medical Electricity,” Practitioner, vol. ii. p. 270, 1879.
Franklinic or Static Electricity.—This form of electricity is now being much used, especially abroad, in the treatment of nervous affections, but does not appear to have been employed in the different copodyscinesiæ, as but few reports of such treatment have found their way into current literature. Romain Vigouroux111 states that he has cured one case by statical electricity. Another case is reported by Arthuis112 as rapidly cured by this treatment after many other means, carried on during a period of five years, had failed; but his brochure contains too many reports of cures of hitherto incurable diseases to be relied upon.
111 Le Progrès médical, Jan. 21, 1882.
112 A. Arthuis, Traitement des Maladies nerveuses, etc., Paris, 1880, 3me ed.
Gymnastics and Massage.—As those suffering from copodyscinesia are generally compelled by their vocation to be more or less sedentary, exercise in the open air is indicated, inasmuch as it tends to counteract the evil effects of their mode of life; but the use of dumb-bells or Indian clubs, riding, rowing, and similar exercises do not ward off the neuroses in question or diminish them when they are present.
Such is not the case when rhythmical exercises and systematic massage of all the affected muscles are employed, as marked benefit has followed this method of treatment. The method employed by J. Wolff, a teacher of penmanship at Frankfort-on-the-Main, which consists of a peculiar combination of exercise and massage, appears to have been wonderfully successful, judging from his own statements and editorial testimonials of such eminent men as Bamberger, Bardenleben, Benedikt, Billroth, Charcot, Erb, Esmarch, Hertz, Stein, Stellwag, Vigouroux, Von Nussbaum, Wagner, and De Watteville. The method is described by Romain Vigouroux113 and Th. Schott,114 the latter claiming priority for himself and his brother, who employed this method as early as 1878 or 1879. Wolff,115 however, states that he had successfully treated this disease by his method as early as 1875. Theodor Stein,116 having had personal experience in Wolff's treatment, also describes and extols it: 277 cases of muscular spasms of the upper extremities were treated; of these, 157 were cured, 22 improved, while 98 remained unimproved; these comprised cases of writers', pianists', telegraphers', and knitters' cramp.
113 Le Progrès médical, 1882, No. 13.
114 “Zur Behandlung des Schreibe- und Klavierkrampfes,” Deutsche Medizinal Zeitung, 2 März, 1882, No. 9, Berlin; also “Du Traitement de la Crampe des Écrivains, reclamation de Priorité, Details de Procedes, par le Dr. Th. Schott,” Le Progrès médical, 1re Avril, 1882.