I started a collection of texts from old osteopathic journals that could be of interest to osteopaths and people curious about osteopathy.

You can fin the full list here
Some were translated into French here

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Colds

In the human body Nature has a mechanical creation which will never be equalled by any machine man may construct. He may build a masterpiece of steel and iron to transform one kind of energy into another or harness forces being wasted, but he will never reach the perfection in mechanics enabling him to construct an engine losing a less percentage in smoke, unburned carbon and gases, less waste in ashes or friction than is shown in the human mechanism—our body.

Upon a little consideration the perfection of the body as a mechanical construction, becomes self-evident, yet it is less of a success in mechanics than it is in chemistry as a laboratory of Nature and in its many physiological functions. The same article of food is transformed into every kind of tissue—muscle, bone and nerve; the same food creates chemicals, chemical actions and reactions; is transformed into solids, liquids and gases, heat and energy of various forms.

Within the healthy body we have processes both anabolic and katabolic, i. e., constructive and destructive, very evenly balanced; likewise forces that are heat generating and those that are heat dissipating, or thermogenetic and thermolytic, with nerve centers controlling the same, which must of necessity be in equilibrium and harmonious in their respective operations and co-operations.

Manifestations of abnormal functioning of these nervous centers are represented in chills or fevers.

The perfect accord with which these two powers operate has its limitations especially when the body or parts thereof become weakened or diseased. One may be compared to a spur the other to a brake, which combined make a most important safety valve or balance wheel for our health and general welfare.

By their harmonious action we are enabled to endure either intense heat or cold. When we overtax them it often results in colds, which term covers a “multitude of sins.”

The cold may result in a catarrhal condition in the nose, throat, lungs, ears or intestines, even terminating in a chronic disease of organs affected or extending into rheumatic and various other conditions. The cold may be manifested in some neuralgiac condition, being possible wherever a sensory nerve fiber is found. This cold may terminate in myalgia or pain in muscles, which pain must of necessity be rather in the nerve trunks, fibers and filaments distributed within the muscles than in the muscle tissue proper, hence it is really a neuralgia or pain in the nerve.

In those suffering from cold on the lungs or in the head in various forms it is very common to find marked tenderness between the shoulders near the insertion of levator anguli scapulae and that portion of trapezius in that region. Treatment at this point does not result as satisfactorily as when directed to the nerve supply from the third and fourth cervicals and relaxation of contractures or correction of lesions in that region. Were everyone as careful to avoid the higher temperatures as they are exposure to cold and lower temperatures, they would undoubtedly suffer less frequently from colds.

Keeping the temperature of a room much above that which one is accustomed to is more likely to result unfavorably in many cases than if it is lower than usual, applying equally to sleeping and living rooms.

A striking illustration of the above point is found in the following case encountered during our coldest weather:

I might explain my presence at the home at the time was due to the fact that I was in attendance upon the mother in confinement. The mother and little child one and a half years old were recovering from a recent attack of measles, leaving the child of course in a receptive condition for contraction of pneumonia.

Two heating stoves were turned on full blast, in the middle of night, (when the mother took sick) to thaw out the guests and make the third room comfortable for the mother, while the child was sleeping as usual in a bed placed between the stoves. I was scarcely through attending the mother and infant when the little child awakened, took a small drink of water and in a few minutes was in severe convulsions which lasted about two hours. The head was drawn back and spine arched in opisthotonos spasmodically.

There had been no exposure to cold drafts whatever; the over-heated room alone being the exciting cause, in my opinion. The lungs were congested and filled up immediately with mucus, the intestines showed intense fermentive activity and tympanites.

Respiration ran from 60 to 80 per minute, fever in proportion; livid expression with cyanosed lips and pulse too rapid to record but weak.

From the above it is very evident the child was in a dangerous condition and from the involvement of these various organs treatment was required to various spinal centers particularly however to the upper dorsal. I also relaxed the tissues of the neck. The result was most satisfactory though the case demanded persistent attention most of the forenoon, thus by noon sufficient improvement was shown to permit rest and dinner. Resuming duty proved fruitful in continued improvement; mucus and froth at mouth ceased, respiration, fever and pulse lowered remarkably, so by 3 p. m. the child was in peaceful slumber and in a day or so was entirely well.

The above nicely illustrates those points I wish to impress.

1st. Disturbance of equilibrium of heat generation and heat dissipation centers of the body is as apt to occur from exposure to high temperatures as from low, and results will be as severe.

2nd. Powers of the body to elaborate and secrete any and all compounds necessary for restoration to health and maintenance of same when Nature is not interfered with by obstructions.

3rd. Efficacy of osteopathic treatment in assisting Nature by removing obstructions to forces and fluids of same, thereby getting the best and quickest results in the most natural manner.

As for those dreadful germs and bacilli their existence is made most miserable, in fact, they are either rendered harmless or are annihilated by the natural processes of this perfect laboratory—the human body. If we but consider its many provisions for conquering these vultures, especially those entering the alimentary tract, first subjecting them to a mild alkaline bath of saliva, thence into a more strenuous experience of hydrochloric acid ablution from the gastric glands, again into that bitter alkaline secretion of the liver—bile, with the pancreatic fluid and intestinal secretions as reserve forces, we become impressed that Nature is well prepared for any battle if not interfered with by obstructions. Then we must remember another powerful weapon we have—the blood and its leucocytes when circulating properly, which will prevent the accumulation of waste and dead tissues which afford rations to the enemy, the germs. Osteopathy will open the way, Nature will do the rest.

If you encounter a fever whether induced by a cold or other cause it is not always best to oppose it too strongly, but remember a temperature of 103° or 106° is fatal to many bacteria, and as the normal temperature of the blood in the interior of the body is above 102° F. your few degrees added by fever make a temperature which is fatal to these enemies so may be productive of more good than harm, though never neglect to remove any cause of which the fever is merely a symptom. Our results should not simply increase our enthusiasm for our science but our admiration of Nature and her powers, which means God.

H. W. Gamble. D.O.
Journal of Osteopathy, March 1904