56 THE HUMAN SOD 7. 



Hygiene of the bony skeleton. In early life the animal 

 matter of the bones is present in larger proportion than 

 later; hence the bones of children are tougher, more 

 pliable, and not so easily broken. The bones of a young 

 child are tolerably flexible and are capable of being dis- 

 torted by any long-continued strain ; therefore children 

 should never be placed on a bench so high that the feet 

 have no support ; if this is frequently done the thigh 

 bones will almost certainly become bent over the edge of 

 the seat by the weight of the lower legs and the feet, and 

 a permanent distortion may be produced. For the same 

 reason it is important that a chiP be made to sit straight, 

 when writing or drawing, to avoid the risk of producing a 

 lateral curvature of the spinal column ; and young chil- 

 dren should not be made to walk too early lest they become 

 bow-legged, their bones not being rigid enough to bear 

 the weight of the body. How easily the bones yield to 

 prolonged pressure in early life is well illustrated by the 

 distorted feet of Chinese ladies ; and by the extraordinary 

 forms (Fig. 25) which some races produce in their skulls 

 by tying boards or bandages on the heads of the children. 

 A distorted foot, even in the United States, is no uncommon 

 thing in these days of tight boots and high heels. The 

 latter are especially bad, as, instead of allowing the weight 

 of the body to bear properly directly downwards on the 

 crown of the arch of the instep, they throw it forwards, 

 and violently force the fore part of the foot into the toe of 



How do the bones of children differ in composition from those of 

 adults? How in properties? Why should children have a seat allow- 

 ing the feet to be supported? Why should young persons be taught 

 to sit erect while writing? What will happen if young children are 

 encouraged to walk too much? Why? Give instances of the readi- 

 ness with which bones can be distorted in early life. Whv are high- 

 heeled boots hurtful? 



