168  MECHANICAL  VIBRATION

The  HEART  REFLEX  OF  Abrams  is  of  value  in  diag-
nosis as  well  as  prognosis.  It  can  be  induced  by
vibration  of  the  7th  cervical  vertebra.  My  observa-
tions have  coincided  with  those  of  that  investigation.
The  strength  of  the  heart  is  increased  and  under  cer-
tain existing  conditions  it  will  lower  blood  pressure.*
An  induction  of  the  heart  reflex  is  favorable  as  to
prognosis  in  cardiac  insufficiency.  When  the
sph}'monianometer  is  used  to  take  the  pressure  be-
fore and  after  treattnent,  the  author  has  noted  a  fall
of  15  mm.  after  a  five-minute  vibratory  treatment
followed  by  a  second  period  of  five  minutes ;  using  a
low  frequency  of  vibration.
Vibration  assists  in  determining  whether  a
HIGH  BLOOD  PRESSURE  is  due  to  a  feeble  heart.  A  boy
12  years  old  who  had  been  to  various  clinics  for  heart
treatment  and  pronounced  hopeless,  came  under  ob-
servation with  a  blood  pressure  of  135  mm.  Treat-
ment by  the  vibrator,  using  the  ball  vibratode  over
rubber,  over  the  2nd  and  3rd  dorsal  spines,  gave  no
result  whereas  after  vibration  of  the  7th  cervical
spine,  the  high  pressure  showed  a  fall  of  12  mm.,
which  according  to  Abrams,  demonstrates  that  it
was  caused  by  cardiac  weakness  and  the  vibration
of  the  spine  in  question  reduced  pressure  "by  toning
the  heart,"  vibration  of  fairly  low  frequency  being
used  for  two  seances  of  five  minutes  with  a  slight
intermission.  The  heart  reflex  elicited  directly  over
the  heart  is  a  test  of  the  strength  or  power  of  the
myocardium.
Mechanical  vibration  should  be  used  intelligently
as  a  means  to  an  end  and  not  in  an  indifferent  way.
Diagnosis  made  by  means  of  the  vibrator  may  show

*  Abrams.     Spondylotherapy,  page  248.
