THE HINGES. 99 



perfect health. If we are unwell, there may 

 be too little or too much, or it may be too 

 thick or too thin. When we use food or drink 

 that is too heating or irritating, it seems to dry 

 the blood, and after a while, the synovia will 

 become less in quantity or of poorer quality. 

 Persons who use much spirits or opium, or eat 

 improper or heating food, are very apt, in the 

 end, to have a grating in their knees when they 

 stoop. 



Such persons often run to the " doctor" to in- 

 quire what the matter is ; but tney might as well 

 take care of themselves. Prevention where 

 we can prevent anything is better than cure. 

 Those who live on a small quantity of plain 

 food, and drink nothing but water, and work at 

 something steadily, but moderately, rarely have 

 any trouble of this sort. 



It has been said, that the ligaments hold the 

 joints together. They do ; but the tendons or 

 straps, which go off from the ends of the mus- 

 cles, and are fastened into the bone, beyond 

 the joint, help greatly to hold it together. 

 There are some very ingenious contrivances to 

 keep the joints firm and yet movable, which I 

 have not room to describe. 



