APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES. 301 



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 aneu- 

 rism, 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 the 

 same cause. 



964. 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 cura- 

 tive means. But it is unnecessary to quote more practi- 

 cal 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 common, that inveterate snuffers, who always carry 

 a pinch between the thumb and finger, often acquire a 

 little cavity in the ball of the former, where they keep 

 this baneful luxury. 



965. 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 development 

 of the muscles of the back, by presenting an impediment 

 to their increase of bulk; arid 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 prob- 

 ably 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 in- 

 crease the absorption, and diminish the secretion of the 

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

 sequently the strength and vigor of the muscles. 



966. Now the spinal column is chiefly supported in the 



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