APPLICATION OP THESE PRINCIPLES. 293 



sorbed and removed, but even the bones do not resist the 

 power of these minute vessels, portions of their solid 

 parts being sometimes carried away by their action. 

 Thus the enlargement of the aorta, or great artery, 

 (which passes down the spine,) by a disease called ane- 

 urism, sometimes, pressing against the interior sides of 

 the ribs, cause the entire destruction and removal of the 

 parts thus pressed. We have seen an instance, where 

 several inches of three, or four of the lower ribs, next to 

 the spine, on the left side, were entirely removed from 

 this cause ; leaving a soft chasm, where the pulsation of 

 the aneurism was frightfully apparent, both to the sight 

 and touch. In the anatomical collection of Sir Charles 

 Bell, there is preserved a specimen, showing the destruc- 

 tion of the lateral parts of four spinal vertebrae, from tha 

 same cause. 



Indolent tumors, caused by diseased action of the part, 

 are often reduced, and sometimes cured by pressure on 

 the part, which in these cases is employed as a curative 

 means. But it is unnecessary to quote more practical 

 examples of the fact, that pressure will both prevent the 

 growth, and diminish the bulk of any part of the living 

 system on which it is made. This fact is indeed so com- 

 mon, that inveterate snuffers, who always carry a pinch 

 between the thumb and finger, often acquire a little cav- 

 ity in the ball of the former, where they keep this bane- 

 ful luxury. 



The pressure of stays around the waist, it is quite 

 clear from the foregoing principles, must in youth, and 

 while the system is growing, prevent the full develop- 

 ment of the muscles of the back, by presenting an imped- 

 iment to their increase of bulk ; and if not assumed until 

 the system has nearly, or quite attained its full size, as 

 at the age of sixteen or nineteen, still the consequences 

 may be equally pernicious, since the form, in this case, 

 will probably be supposed to require a degree of tension 

 in the lacing cords, somewhat proportionate to the time 

 they have been delayed. The effect will therefore be to 

 increase the absorption, and diminish the secretion of 

 the parts pressed upon, and thus to reduce the bulk, and 

 consequently, the strength and vigor of the muscles. 



Now the spinal column is chiefly supported in the 

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