On Rickets 317 



if it comes on before birth or immediately after 

 birth. 



2. The sooner after birth this disease comes on, so 

 much the more dangerous is it. 



3. The more the symptoms increase in severity, 

 viz., if the disproportion of parts and the emaciation 

 are extreme, so much the more difficult is the cure. 



4. If this disorder has the above-named diseases 

 conjoined with it, it hardly ever terminates in re- 

 covery. 



5. If the patients are not cured before the fifth 

 year, they will be invalids during their whole life. 



6. Scabies or itching occurring in the course of 

 this disease contributes much to its cure. 



7. We need have no doubt of the recovery of those 

 in whom the symptoms of the disease do not increase 

 but rather diminish. 



Method of Treatment 



Now that we have discussed the cause of this 

 disease and its prognosis, it remains for us to consider 

 its prevention and cure. 



In so far, then, as the cause of this disorder consists 

 in obstruction of the spinal marrow, and weakness 

 of the nerves thence arising, the chief indications both 

 of prevention and cure are that the nerves be strength- 

 ened and the obstructions prevented or removed. 

 For this end, cathartic drugs, blood-letting, also 

 digestives, diuretics, diaphoretics, and specifics will 

 be called into use ; formulae for these and their mode 

 of use will be given below. 



As to the cure of the disease, I think it should be 

 begun by catharsis ; which is more suitable in this 

 disorder, because phlegmatic humours are often col- 

 lected in great quantity in the lower part of the 



