THE SKELETON 239 



For this reason, children who are encouraged to walk at 

 too early an age may bend the thigh bones, causing the 

 too familiar "bow-legs." These bones may also be bent 

 by having children sit on benches and chairs which are too 

 high for the feet to reach the floor, and which do not pro- 

 vide supports for the feet. Wholesome food, fresh air, 

 sunlight, and exercise are also necessary to the proper de- 

 velopment of the bones of children. Where these natural 

 conditions are lacking, as in the crowded districts of cities, 

 children often suffer from a disease known as " rickets," 

 on account of which their bones are unnaturally soft and 

 easily bent. 



On account of the accumulation of mineral matter, the 

 bones of elderly people become brittle and are easily 

 broken, and from lack of vigor of the bone cells they heal 

 slowly after such injuries occur. This makes the breaking 

 of a bone by an aged person a serious matter. Old people 

 should, as far as possible, avoid liabilities to falls, such as 

 going rapidly up and down stairs, or walking on icy side- 

 walks, and should use the utmost care in getting about. In 

 old people also the cartilage between the bones softens, 

 increasing the liability of getting misshaped. Special atten- 

 tion, therefore, should be given to erectness of form, and 

 to such exercises as tend to preserve the natural shape of 

 the body. 



Treatment of Fractures. A fractured bone always re- 

 quires the aid of a surgeon, and no time should be lost in 

 securing his services. In the meantime the patient should be 

 put in a comfortable position, and the broken limb supported 

 above the rest of the body. Though the breaking of a 

 bone is not, as a rule, a serious mishap, it is necessary that 

 the very best skill be employed in setting it. Any failure 

 to bring the ends of the broken bone into their normal 



