While many cooperating factors may be found in the causation of the
mental disorder of elderly people, our experience shows there is
always very definite disturbance of nutrition and the nutritional
centers. We find chief physical interference between the 3d and 8th
dorsal vertebræ, most definite as a rule at the 4th, 5th and 6th, with
the corresponding ribs on the right side. Contributing causes may be
found in other areas, associated with the disturbances of the heart
and circulation and of the kidney. In the cardio circulatory disorders
we find abnormal spinal conditions in the upper dorsal region and
especially the 5th rib on the left side. In the kidney disorders we
find the lesions usually at the 10th, 11th and 12th dorsal. The above
mentioned areas in general represent the centers of control of the
splanchnic nerves and therefore the important processes of digestion,
metabolism and assimilation. Specific treatment applied to these
points is very helpful and results in marked improvement and indeed in
relieving the patient’s symptoms completely when in the earlier stages
of the disease.