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132 its full measure of enjoyment, and the stock of health thus daily laying up is a treasury of "inexhaustible pleasure."

Unhappily there are but few parents and teachers who have ever formed any definite conception of the importance of proper early training, and that simply because they never understood its importance; nor is it possible that they ever should, until they have some knowledge of the structure and functions of the body which they have to train and develope. We propose, therefore, in this chapter, to give a general idea of the structure and functions of the spine, as well as a brief description of some of the curvatures to which it is subject.

The distinctive character of man is the erect posture. No other animal enjoys a physical conformation which will enable him to permanently assume this majestic attitude, although there are several in whom it may be maintained for a short time. The head of the human being is compara­tively heavier than the trunk, and this, added to the weight of the viscera in front, would naturally induce a stooping forward, were there no especial means provided for its prevention. The necessary appliances are, however, afforded in the following manner. The spine, on the top of which the head