The development of physiatry before 1950.

The early development of physiatry as a specialty must be credited to a small group of men who were literally giants in the roles they played in the evolution of physiatry and of the American Academy of PM&R. Of those very early leaders, John S. Coulter, Frank H.

Strategies for recruiting medical students to physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Estimations that the incidence of need for health care among the chronically ill exceeds the need for acute episodic health care in the rest of the population indicate a misdirection of the focus of medical education. Estimates indicate not enough psychiatrists will be trained under the present program to meet the existing demands. Unless there can be some material increase in the number of psychiatrists trained, it appears that there will be extensive disability persisting because of lack of rehabilitation.

Philosophic considerations of quality of life for the disabled.

All of us are concerned not only about the length of our lives but also about having meaningful lives. The quality of living rather than longevity is the significant consideration. For all of us a certain level of physical and material well-being, safety, and health is necessary as the basis for a satisfying life.

Muscle formation in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a familial connective tissue disorder characterized by marked joint hypermobility, skin hyperdistensibility and fragility. To determine the influence of connective tissue hyperdistensibility on muscle function, a young woman with classic EDS underwent extensive muscle function testing which included a controlled strengthening exercise program. Quantitative muscle strength testing revealed generalized muscle weakness characteristic of this disease.

Muscular strength as an index of response to therapy in childhood dermatomyositis.

Dermatomyositis, an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, causes diffuse symmetrical weakness and atrophy, muscular pain and tenderness, induration of muscles, and the tendency to develop contractures. The disease may follow a prolonged course which can best be managed with steroids and regulation of physical activity if there is an objective criterion for determining the extent of clinical involvement. In 6 children with dermatomyositis, quantitative muscular strength was compared with clinical evaluation of the state of the disease, serum enzyme levels, and other laboratory measures of systemic inflammation.