The following series of cases consitutes a clinical
study of the effect of local anaesthetic injection on
certain painful conditions previously not amenable to
quick relief. The aim was originally merely to reduce the period of disability, while continuing more
orthodox treatment, but it was found that cure frequently occurred from injection alone.The cases treated fall into the following groups:
(a) chronic fibrositic affections in various
situations.
(b) sprains and minor traumata, regarded as
cases of acute fibrositis.The local anaesthetics employed were:-
(a) novocain in various strengths dispensed in
normal saline.
(b) a proprietary preparation of 3% novocain
made up in Ringer's solution.
(c) a proprietary preparation of 2% novocain in
Ringer.Most of the cases came from : - (a) a part of a battalion of soldiers, originally middle -aged and elderly men, and so
excellent material for the chronic fibrositic group, particularly as many of them
were facing unaccustomed exposure to rigorous weather conditions and vigorous
physical activity.
(b) workers on long shifts in the cold and damp
conditions of a dockyard.
(c) patients in ordinary civilian practice.
(d) certain Naval and Air Force personnel, and
those on leave in the district.It will thus be seen that the bulk of these are individuals who at the present time can ill be spared for
long periods of rest from the occupations on which they
are engaged.The technique employed was as simple as could be
arranged, in view of the demands of a fairly busy practice.
Usually five or ten minutes sufficed for any one case at
a time, and the injections t'rere carried out in the con - sulting- room, or medical inspection room in the case of
the soldiers, or in the patient's home. Ho special_
apparatus or instruments were necessary, and no elaborate sterile technique employed. In short, the method
is admirably suited to the resources of either the general practitioner or the regimental medical officer
