, 1935-01-03

A prominent specialist in diseases Of the bones and
joints has described the case OF a girl 10 years old
who suffered from pains in her feet, and who final
" began to use crutches because 1t hurt her 50 much
TO walk. When a careful study OF this child was
made, 1t was found that she was inclined TO be fat,
that one leg was slightly shorter than the other, that
she had knock knees and turned ankles. a certain
amount Of curving in her spine, unevenness in the
shoulders, and that she held her head in the wrong
position.
The trouble with her feet was apparently the
slightest of her difficulties and was most explain
able BY her overweight. II was. in fact, merely a part
OF a general disturbance OF posture. x-ray pic
lures disclosed a complete twisting OF the spine, IN
Guiding the pelvis. which was really the most i'm
portant and serious Of the conditions that troubled
her.
II became possible. through use OF correct shoes.
strapping of the feet to hold them in the right posi-
ton. and suitably applied exercises. to obtain COM
plete relief from the trouble with the feet in about
six weeks.
However. correction of a curve in the spine and
Of a distortion in the pelvis may require many
months Of careful treatment.
Such investigations are particularly important for
growing girls. While they are active in their school
work and in their gymnastics, they are likely to pay
little attention to their posture.
AS they get older. the conditions accumulate, and
eventually they begin to suffer from pains In the
back. or ~sciatica. or similar troubles which could
have been prevented by proper consideration during
the period Of youth.
Sometimes. all that is necessary after the child
Is Examined. Is the raising Of the heel Of the shoe
on one side, or treating OF the heel to correct faulty
twisting Of the leg. In other instances II may De
necessary o. provide special corsets or similar ap-
psratus to correct more serious distortions Of the
bones.
Some girls develop a fitting Of the pelvic bones
due to habitusl sitting on one foot.
II YOU notice that your child is having difficulty in
walking. that 1t carries its body badly. or that u
complains a great deal OF fatigue when standing have
a proper examination made Of the childs posture.
Such examination will include not only a study
| Of all the usual things that are looked at in a physical
examination. but also a determination AS to whether
the pelvis is even, the spine normal, and the legs OF
equal length.
In making such measurements, u IS desirable 70
use a plumb line. such as builders use to determine
alignment in buildings. and also actually to measure
the distances with a measuring tape rather than to
guess at them.
The child must be examined without clothing in a
! good light, and it may be desirable TO have X-rsy
pictures of the spine to confirm impressions obtained
by merely looking at the back
When difficulties with posture are found. they are
frequently correctable by adoption OF a smooth flat
bed. correct habits of walking. standing, and sitting,
and particularly a suitable desk in school where the
child spends most Of its time.
Even the crrelest of the Russian tsars are entitled
Nj. - A.. =. ~--- 49, ..4L A. n .~.w