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STUDIES IN PHYSIOLOGY 



nently bent inward toward 'the breastbone, thus interfering 

 seriously with the action of the abdominal organs. High- 

 heeled shoes are another frequent cause of deformity. 

 They reduce the spring in the arch of the foot and throw 

 too much of the weight of the body upon the tips of the 

 toes. Shoes with narrow toes should never be worn. 



FIG. 79. Effect of Tight Lacing on the Organs of Chest 

 and Abdomen. 



A = normal position of organs. 



B = position of organs after lacing. 



9. ACCIDENTS TO THE SKELETON 



Fractures. Any sudden strain or blow upon a bone is 

 liable to cause a break or & fracture, especially in later life, 

 when the bones are brittle. If the bone is broken into but 

 two pieces, the accident is described as a simple fracture ; 

 when several breaks occur, it is called a splintered fracture ; 

 and if the pieces of bone work out into or through the flesh, 

 a compound fracture results. Fractures occur more com- 

 monly in the shafts of long bones, and they can usually be 

 recognized by the fact that an extra joint is thus formed and 

 by the fact that the broken ends grate against each other. 



In treating a fracture, the pieces of bone must be brought 



