Page:Caplin - Health and Beauty1864 - 140.png

140 It has been frequently asserted that deformity of the spine is usually the result of disease, but this is contradicted by experience; and we do not feel disposed to concur with any fallacy simply out of deference to the authorities by whom it is promulgated or supported; for, so far from deformity being occasioned by disease, disease is ordinarily the result of deformity. In our museum we have a specimen of deformity of the spine of the most serious and extraordinary character, on a close inspection of which it will be seen that the bones themselves are in a perfectly healthy condition, although one side of the intervertebral cartilages have given way in consequence of absorption. "It must be borne in mind that children have few chronic diseases, and that consequently those with which they are affected must be acute. It must also be remarked that acute diseases are detected by immediate symptoms, the first of which is pain—a child never losing its appetite and be­ing dull without some organic disease or eruptive fever making its appearance in a few days; for the alleviation or cure of which prompt remedies are required.

"But when you see a lively, active child becoming dull and slow, abandoning his favourite games,