48 THE BRADSHAW LECTURE 



to form a loop below the umbilicus with the con- 

 cavity upwards, thus bringing about kinking at the 

 lateral flexions. The various weak points at the 

 lower part of the abdomen are subjected to greater 

 strain, and inguinal, crural, obturator, vaginal, and 

 sciatic hernias are rendered more frequent. The 

 bladder and ovary may also occasionally be found 

 in a hernia. 



Outside the abdomen we notice varicocele 

 caused by the weight of a loaded sigmoid upon 

 the spermatic vein, where it is exposed to pres- 

 sure on the brim of the pelvis; haemorrhoids 

 associated with rectal accumulations and varicose 

 veins in the legs are common in those whose 

 occupations require that they should stand for 

 many hours in succession. These defects are very 

 definitely associated with the assumption of the 

 erect posture. 



Knock-knee and flat-foot, bow-legs and weak 

 ankles are the result of the assumption of the 

 erect position before the supporting tissues have 

 gained sufficient strength to bear the body- 

 weight, or, perhaps, more often result from defec- 

 tive feeding and hygiene, by which the bones, 

 ligaments and muscles are weakened relatively to 

 the strain put upon them when carrying the body 

 in the erect position. 



