THE BONES. 35 



are the tendons of the muscles which move the limb, and 

 filling in and rounding off the joint there is always a certain 

 amount of cellular tissue and fat. Last of all, the skin. 



33. Care of the Body. The degree of perfection with 

 which growth and development from infancy to mature age 

 take place, depends upon the care and attention the child 

 receives. The infant is helpless. It is unable to walk. Its 

 head is out of proportion to the rest of the body, its spinal 

 column is almost straight, and its legs are relatively short. 

 Soon it creeps about on all-fours, and gradually, as growth 

 proceeds, changes of a distinguishing kind take place, and 

 when adult age is reached, the full-grown man walks with his 

 head evenly balanced on the spinal column, supported only by 

 his lower limbs, while these in turn rest upon the arched 

 instep and broad soles of the feet. 



During infancy, suitable food must be provided, to enable 

 nature to convert the gristly framework into bone. For this 

 purpose milk alone is sufficient for many months. In child- 

 hood some restraint will be necessary, to avoid the taking of 

 those things which tend to poison the system and stunt the 

 growth of the body. 



The waking hours of a child, when in health, are spent in 

 constant motion of body and limb. This exercise is necessary 

 to promote the growth of bone and muscle. Equally neces- 

 sary are the long periods of sleep the healthy child will take 

 daily, in order that the brain may rest and develop. As the 

 child gains power over its legs, it will begin its efforts to 

 stand and walk ; but it should not be helped or encouraged 

 to do so too early. It should be allowed to " find its legs," 

 and not be put upon them before they are strong enough to 

 bear the weight of the body. Like a green twig, the soft 

 bones of the leg may bend, and cause " bow legs," so often 

 met with. Children should also be watched in their habits 

 of sitting. When weary, they may slide down into the seat, 



