Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-02-11

whom disease of the spine or of joint is
commencing. The general rule of all such
notifications of gait is that the motion of
the sensitive joint is impeded by an instinc-
tive attempt to diminish the pain or irrita-
ton. We assume that the parent is famil-
lar with the natural, free gait of child
The perfect ease with which he moves, and
the equality with which the motion is dis
tributed between the two limbs, the uncon-
seriousness with which the body shifts its
weight from side to side, backward and for
ward, as he runs are delightful to see. Let
any single joint become sensitive, and i'm
mediately the harmony is disturbed.
If, for instance, knee is trouble, it
does not bend as freely as before; very like
ly it is kept little bent, and the whole
limb is swung forward as one piece; and the
shortening of the limb caused by the bend
ing will be made up by the dropping of the
toe and lifting of the heel. 30, too, if the
hip is tender, the thigh no longer swings
easily forward while the body is balanced
On the other limb, but the haunch goes with
the thigh; and as consequence the body
moves much more than in health. When,
therefore, child is observed in walking to
swing one hip forward more than he does
the other, it is we'll to watch MIN closely and
to ascertain, if possible, why he does it,
Naturally there is very little oscillation in
the hips in good walker, but it should be
noted that very young children, who have
but recently learned to walk, swing their
hips more than older children or adults
But in health, at all ages, one hip moves as
much as the other.
In health the spine is exceedingly flexible,
and follows with sinuous motion all the
movements of the lower extremities. Let
any part of it become sensitive and it at once
loses this fexibility. The trunk is carried
with more than military rigidity, and ev-
cry bending oft is avoided. If it be neces-
sary for the child to stoop he no longer bows
over as before, but contrives to mako the
hips and knees do all the bending, OF steadies
his body by placing his hand upon his knee
Or seizing articles of furniture.
In describing these peculiarities of gait
we have omitted all technical details, and
have mentioned only such things as an Or
dinary observer may readily see. Early
recognition of these peculiarities often saves
months of regrets.
WRJTrNc MEAN TETTERs Mr. Rohart
Burdette, the genial humorist of the Bur-
lington Hdackeye, has again been taking the
public into his confidence by telling how he
sits down upon his enemies:
''Let me tell you how write mean let
ters and bitter editorials my boy. Some
cut me up rough, and l want to pulverize
him and wear his CORY scalp at my girdle,
and hang his hide on my fence, write the
letter or editorial that is to do the business.
| write something that will drive sleep from
his eyes and peace from his soul for six
weeks Oh, do hold him over slow fire
and roast him! Gall and aquafortis drip
from my blistering pen. Then, don't mail
the letter and don't print the editorial.
There's always plenty of time to cruelty a
man. The vilest criminal is entitled to a
little reprieve. I put the manuscript away
in drawer. Next day look at it. The
ink is cold; l read it over and say: 4 don't
know about this. There's good deal Of
bludgeon and bowie-knife journalism in
that. Pll hold it over a day longer The
next day read it again. laugh, and say:
'PshawH and can feel my cheeks getting
a little hot. The fact is, am ashamed I
ever wrote it, and hope that nobody has
seen it, and have half forgotten the arti-
Gle or letter that filled my soul with rage.
I haven't been hurt, l haven't hurt any
body, and the world goes right along, max
ing twenty -four hours day as usual, and
I am all the happier. Try it, my boy!''