Page:Caplin - Health and Beauty1864 - 136.png

136 The portions of the spine situated in the region of the neck and loins are those most likely to yield at an early period of life; the reason of which is that these parts are kept in the erect position merely by the action of the muscles. The neck has to support the weight of the head, while the lumbar vertebræ bear that of the thoracic and abdominal viscera. In early infancy, the muscles of the neck and back are totally inadequate for the perfor­mance of their functions, as, from not having been brought into action, they have not acquired sufficient strength; and we therefore find that the head of a newly-born child will always have a ten­dency to fall forward, or from side to side, unless supported by the protecting arm of the nurse or mother. It is usually said that gentlemen are un­willing to handle a newly-born infant; and this cannot be a matter of wonder, since they probably fear the dislocation of the poor baby's neck, which certainly might occur under their generally uncouth nursing; while the muscles of the back and loins being also, from the same cause, in a very weak state, yield from the superincumbent pressure, and the infant becomes hunched up, as it is commonly called, on the unskilful nurse's arm. Of course, as the child stoops forward, the arms hang