Lumbago is a rheumatic affection of the muscles or fibrous tissues in the lumbar region, or small of the back. It is often first recognised by the occurrence of a sharp stabbing pain in the loins upon attempting to rise from the recumbent or sitting position. It is sometimes so severe as to confine the patient to bed and in one position, from which he cannot move without intense suffering; but in milder cases he can walk, although stiffly and with pain, and usually with the body bent more or less forward. It may be distinguished from inflammation of the kidneys by the absence of the peculiar direction of the pain towards the groin, as also by the absence of the nausea and vomiting and other constitutional symptoms which usually accompany the disease of the kidney.
The causes of lumbago are the same as those of sub-acute rheumatism generally. The complaint may arise from partial exposure to cold, especially when the body is heated, and violent straining will sometimes induce it. In persons with a strong constitutional tendency to rheumatism the slightest exciting cause will bring on an attack of lumbago.
The treatment must vary with the intensity of the affection. In most cases a warm bath at bedtime, followed by ten grains of Dover's powder, or full doses of alkaline remedies, as citrate of potassium, will speedily remove it; and, as local remedies, a mustard poultice, a mixture of chloroform and soap-liniment, or the application of the heated hammer made for the purpose will be found serviceable. (See also the treatment for RHEUMATISM.) The disorder has been known to completely disappear after one application of the hammer, which should be heated in a spirit-lamp to somewhere about 200°, and then be rapidly brought in contact with points of the skin over the painful parts at intervals of about half an inch. Each application leaves a red spot, but blisters seldom occur if the operation is properly performed. The application of a hot iron, used just as in ironing clothes, with two or three folds of blanket between it and the skin, frequently gives great relief.