OBSERVATIONS 



ON 



CURVATURES OF THE SPINE, 



BY JAMES MACARTNEY, M. D. M. R. I. A. F. R. S. 



PROFESSOR OF ANATOMY AND SURGERY IN THE 

 UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN, &C. &C. 



Distortion of the Splnal column may arise from three causes. 

 The first is that pecuUar disease, which, terminating in the ulcera- 

 tion of the bodies of the vertebrae, necessarily induces an abrupt and 

 very evident curvature ; or, more properly, an angular figure of the 

 spine. The second is that state of the bones, in which, from a de- 

 ficiency of earthy matter in their composition, they are incapable 

 of preserving their natural form ; but bend or diminisli under the 

 operation of pressure. The spine, in tliose circumstances, will ex- 

 hibit very different degrees of curvature, in proportion to the soft- 

 ness of the bones, In some persons, the deformity may be very 

 slight ; but, in others, there may be several very considerable lateral 

 flexures of the spine. The third cause of distorted spine is the 

 feebleness of those muscles, which are employed in maintaining the 

 erect position of the body. The tendency of a weakened state of 

 the muscles to augment the more serious kinds of curvature, and 

 VOi. xiii. p 



