Hare: A Study of Handicapped Children 



11 



Ttiherculosis of the Knee is indicated by localized pain, 

 swelling, and abscess. Early treatment by operation, fixa- 

 tion, and braces lead to favorable recovery in the majority 

 of cases, tho there is a tendency to stiffness resulting, and in 

 some virulent cases amputation of the leg becomes necessary. 



Tuberculosis of the Ankle, Shoulder, Elboiv, and Wrist all 

 show the same general symptoms of swelling, pain, suppura- 

 tion, and atrophy. The treatment for all four conditions is 

 practically the same, consisting of fixation and protection, 

 plaster casts, and in most cases surgery. Among children 

 the prognosis for all these conditions is favorable if given 

 early treatment after the symptoms of the disease are dis- 

 covered. 



2. Osteomyelitis. This disease usually occurs at or after 

 puberty, often as a result of any infectious and exhausting ill- 

 ness or exposure. It is a bacterial infection of the bone 

 m.arrow, with the formation of abscesses and a general sep- 

 tic condition resulting. The localized seat of the infection is 

 in the shafts of the long bones. Treatment consists of drain- 

 age by incision, and in some cases the removal of the diseased 

 portion of the bone. In severe cases there is danger of sep- 

 ticaemia, but in ordinary cases proper treatment will result 

 in a healing of the diseased parts. 



3. Arthritis. This disease commonly known as "rheuma- 

 tism" is an inflammation of the joints which may be chronic 

 or acute. Symptoms are pain and swelling and often stiff- 

 ness of the joint results. Acute articular rheumatism of one 

 joint never occurs, and if such symptoms arise, the origin of 

 the inflammation will usually prove to be "tuberculous or 

 some other specific infection".^ 



Arthritis Deformans is a chronic non-suppurative affection 

 of the joints, commonly called "rheumatic gout", tho more 

 virulent developments than gout sometimes occur. This dis- 

 ease seldom occurs in children, as it generally appears with 

 senile changes such as arterio-sclerosis. 



4. Rickets. Rickets is a disease occurring in very young 

 children as a result of faulty nutrition during first dentition. 

 Softening of the bones is the characteristic feature, and 

 muscular action of the child while the bones are in a pliable 



3 Quotation from Dr. John H. Oliver. 



