The Australian Journal of Physiotherapy

The clinical features and management of peripheral facial paralysis are outlined. The value of
physiotherapy in electrodiagnosis and treatment of this common and disfiguring illness is
emphasised.
Keywords: Electric Stimulation Therapy; Facial Paralysis; Physical Therapy
Meyers RI (1959): The potential of physical education in the field of rehabilitation. Australian
Journal of Physiotherapy 5: 53-56.
This paper reviews the more important and fundamental aspects of rehabilitation in relation to
physical education. It deals briefly with historical aspects of physical education, and the training of
physical educationalists who wish to work in rehabilitation, research, school sports and the future.
Keywords: Exercise Therapy; Physical Education; Rehabilitation
McDonald A (1959): Factors influencing the volume of sputum produced after a surgical
operation. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 5: 81-85.
The factors influencing sputum production in the postoperative phase were investigated in this
study. The study involved 33 patients admitted to one of three surgical wards. Sputum collections
were performed on the preoperative day and for four days postoperatively. Preoperative postural
drainage was performed and breathing exercises taught. Results indicate that patients who had an
operation lasting one hour or less produced a significantly smaller volume of sputum
postoperatively than those in which the operation lasted longer than one hour. The presence of
sputum preoperatively was associated with a significant tendency to produce more sputum
postoperatively, and smoking was related to the
preoperative production of sputum only. The relevance of these findings to the prevention of
postoperative pulmonary complications is discussed.
Keywords: Physical Therapy; Postoperative Complications; Respiratory Therapy; Sputum
Smyth E and Campbell AH (1959): Resistance breathing tubes: An aid to breathing exercises.
Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 5: 85-87.
In order to specifically address the deficiency in strength of respiratory muscles associated with
certain clinical conditions, the resistance breathing tube has been designed to supplement the usual
breathing exercises by providing resistance to the muscular effort of respiration. The authors believe
the breathing tube offers psychological and physical advantages to the patient with respiratory
muscle weakness, and further trials are warranted.
Keywords: Muscle Atrophy; Physical Therapy; Respiratory Therapy
GandeviaB (1959): Pulmonary function and physiotherapy. Australian Journal of
Physiotherapy 5: 87-96.
This paper is primarily concerned with concepts relating to alveolar ventilation, though a
description of other important aspects of efficient pulmonary function are reviewed. This review is
performed in order to enable the aims and role of physiotherapeutic techniques to be viewed in