Allen.] ^■'■" [June 18, 1869. 



The following observations have been instituted vrith the object of 

 testing the value of the following propositions : 



I. 



That a true conception of the skeleton can he only secured by studying em- 

 bryology and osteology conjointly. 



For inasmuch as the skeleton is the frame-work adapted to protect 

 internal organs, and to afford attachments to ligaments and muscles, and 

 since the osseous particles (centres of ossification, either free or combined) 

 are the results of forces acting in obedience to the necessities of organs 

 to be protected and of trunks to be moved, it follows that bones can be 

 best stvidied when understanding the requirements calling them into 



existence. 



II. 



That the '■''centre of ossification'''' is the osteological unit. 



For since "the bones" are associations of centres of ossification having 

 little or no determinate value, it is rational to prefer these centres as the 

 primal forms, before the more or less arbitrary ones, the results of their 



combination. 



III. 



That the causes of variation of the forms of '^bones''"' within tJie limits of 

 health are to he found in the muscles placed in association with them. 



Since the idea of a limb is progression, the bones stand up as fulcra and 

 levers to the power, we find the degree of power holds a direct ratio to 

 the strength of lever and amount of weight. Hence, bones of limbs cor- 

 respond in point of strength and size to the muscles associated with 

 them. Habit is thus seen to be indirectly the chief cause of the variation 



of ossific forms. 



IV. 



That the causes of localization of diseased action are best determined by the 

 application of the foregoing propositions. 



(1.) A number of centres of ossification coalescing to protect a given 

 viscus, the resultant form may preserve, throughout life, a physiological 

 as well as a mechanical unity. Example : The centres composing the 

 brain case. When, however, the centres of ossification in the bones of 

 limbs unite, while losing their identity in form they maintain a peculiar 

 independence of action throughout life. Example : The centre com- 

 posing the femur and tibia. 



(2.) The evidences of retrograde activity (atrophy) are most marked 

 along the lines of progressive activity (growth.) 



(3.) Activity of development is accompanied with vascularity. In- 

 creased vascularity is an exciting cause to morbid action. Therefore it 

 follows that diseased action may be often found in association with an in- 

 complete genetic process. 



(4.) Since muscles control the noi-mal shapes of bones during harmo- 

 nious action, their inharmonious action may prove a cause of deformity. 



(5.) Continual excitation of points of connection of muscles with bones 

 may prove an exciting cause to disease within such areas. 



The Society was then adjourned. 



