to its complicated structure than to the presence In the body of some hereditary or other disease?
"There are four kinds of spinal deformity :—the cyphose, or outward curvature; the lordose, or inward curvature; the scoliose, or lateral curvature; and compound, viz. with torsion of the spine on its axis, and abnormal protrusions of various kinds.
"The first is accompanied by morbid symptoms, and frequently terminates in ankylosis, or the union of several bones into one, by which the solidity of the spine is restored. When the distortion is not great, this in general cures the disease, and leaves the vital functions unimpaired.
"The second and third curvatures are those which begin in the simplest way, and if neglected assume the most formidable character. It is generally manifested on the right side, and may frequently be traced to the habit of lying upon and using the right members exclusively. When the deformity increases, the capacity of the chest must be diminished and its functions impaired, and the heart, lungs, and other vital organs injured; and to this crushing may be attributed the loss of health, general debility, and organic disease.
"Now there are no deformities of the spine, whatever may be the primary causes, without five different organs being concerned.
"First, the fibro-cartilages; that elastic substance interposed between each vertebra, on the regularity of which depends the normal direction of the spine. When, by any cause, that substance loses its natural form, the vertebræ are thrown out of their place.
"Second, the bones; which deviate, protrude, and recede in different ways.
"Third, the ligaments; which become stretched on one side and relaxed on the other, losing their firmness and power.
"Fourth, the muscles; which always present their antagonist relaxed or contracted.
"Fifth, the tendons; which, under the same influence, are changed in their direction, and act as new vehicles to the distortion. "—Abridged from Dr. Caplin's Lectures.
Having, then, taken into consideration the cause and nature of the deformity, the next thing will be to see what can be done in order to restore the proper equilibrium of the body.
