54 CONSCIOUS NERVOUS OPERATIONS 



has been found to furnish, in most digestible form, those 

 substances and others needed by the human infant, and 

 is for early childhood the complete and perfect food. If 

 there is not a sufficient supply of earthy matter in the food, 

 the bones of a child remain soft and weak, and are easily 

 bent or deformed, as in the disease called rickets. For such 

 conditions an abundance of suitable food, with plenty of 

 fresh air and sunshine, supplies the cure. 



Alcohol and tobacco are particularly to be avoided dur- 

 ing the time of growth, as they retard or prevent the full 

 development of the bone cells, making the figure stunted 

 and enfeebled. Cigarettes are especially harmful. 



63. Deformity to be Guarded Against. Children permitted 

 to walk too early, before the bones are sufficiently hardened, 

 may be made permanently bow-legged. They should be 

 allowed freedom of movement and plenty of exercise, but 

 should not be urged to walk too soon. 



Long-continued pressure upon the bones of children 

 may result in deformity. Some tribes of Indians flatten 

 the heads of their children by fastening boards upon them. 

 Clothing should always be loose ; shoes especially should 

 allow room for movement and growth. 



Care should be taken that a child should habitually 

 assume correct positions in sitting and standing, and fre- 

 quent changes of position are needful. The seat should 

 not be too high to permit the feet to rest easily and 

 squarely upon the floor, otherwise the bones of the thigh 

 may be bent by the weight of the legs. School children 

 should be taught to sit upright while writing or studying, 

 lest the spine become curved and diseased. Seats and 

 desks should be carefully adapted to the child's stature, 

 and round shoulders the most common deformity 

 should be especially guarded against 



