BONES AND JOINTS OF THE EXTREMITIES 61 



leg is relieved, whilst he loses an inch and a half 

 of his height, and sinks down upon his left hip. 

 This command to "stand at 

 ease ' has a higher authority 

 than the general orders. It 

 is a natural relaxation of all 

 the muscles; which are, con- 

 sequently, relieved from a pain- 

 ful state of exertion : and the 

 weight of the body bears so 

 upon the lower extremity, as 

 to support the joints independ- 

 ently of muscular effort. The 

 advantage of this will be un- 

 derstood, when we consider that 

 aU muscular effort is made at 

 the expense of a living power, 

 which, if excessive, will 

 haust and weary a man, whilst 

 the position of rest which we 

 are describing is without effort, 

 and therefore gives perfect 

 relief. And it is this which 

 makes boys and girls, 

 who are out of health 

 and languid, lounge too F 



much in the position of 



relief, from whence comes permanent distortion. 

 Fig. 14 represents the bones of the leg. 



