Selections from the clinical works of Duchenne / Translated and edited by G.V. Poore.

  • Duchenne, G.-B. (Guillaume-Benjamin), 1806-1875.
Date:
1883
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Selections from the clinical works of Duchenne / Translated and edited by G.V. Poore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    cause of saddle-back being understood, it may be possible to moderate it by gymnastics. 8. Between the extremes of pelvic inclination mentioned above are many intermediate grades. What is the proper amount ? We cannot fetter beauty with absolute rules. 9. We gather from the preceding facts that the flexors and extensors of the lumbar vertebrae work together to maintain the erect position. This is well shown by the return to the natural position of the trunk when standing, under the influence of the gradual recovery of the power of the lumbar extensors, when it has been bent back owing to their wasting. 10. The lumbar spinal muscles are far more important than the dorsal in relation to the vertical position of the trunk in standing and walking, and its shape. This is shown by clinical observation. When the lumbar spinal (spinauoc lombaires) muscles are palsied on both sides, there results lordosis (lumbar curve with forward convexity), and a difficulty of balancing during walking and standing. When one side is affected there is gradually developed a scoliosis (i.e., a deformity of the vertebral column and thoracic wall), while bilateral palsy of the spinal dorsal muscles causes only a cyphosis (dorsal curve with convexity backwards) without appreciable difficulty in standing or walking, and a one- sided palsy causes very slight spinal deformity. 11. Excessive action of the dorsal spinal muscles may change the normal cyphosis into a straight line, or even a curve with forward convexity (dorsal lordosis), whence results a flattening of the thorax, and a lessening of its diameter from front to back. This excessive action of the dorsal spinal muscles is caused by an effort of compensation when the cervical part of the column is kept continuously flexed owing to palsy of the cervical extensors or caries of one of the last cervical or first dorsal vertebrae. My experiments have, as a rule, confirmed the opinions of authors ; nevertheless I have to call attention in this resume to the two following facts :— 12. In the erect posture the flexors and extensors of the head help to keep it straight on the neck. In persons in whom the extensors of the head are weak or palsied the head is kept bent back in order to throw its weight on the flexors. When the flexors are palsied the head and neck is kept bent forward, so as to throw its weight on the extensors.