On the mechanism and motions of the human foot and leg / by John Cross.

  • Cross, John.
Date:
1819
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the mechanism and motions of the human foot and leg / by John Cross. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    most powerful; but the flexor of the other toes, after receiving its miisculous accessions in the foot, is also no mean muscle. From passing down along the astragal bone, and below the internal process of the heel bone, these two muscles coun- terbalance the hind tibial, and the two hind pe- roneal muscles, by holding the leg bones back to their place in the ankle joint j and co-operate with these muscles in resisting dislocation of that joint backwards, when it is bent, and liable to that occurrence; also support the astragal bone in its utmost need; and besides all these second- ary effects, extend the foot, and bend the toes. It is remarkable, that the three strongest of these muscles have their destination in the great toe, or in that line of bones from which it proceeds. To the great toe nature has given the charge and responsibility of the step, and to the small toes the office of mere auxiliaries; so mankind, as if the same law prevailed in morals, as in physics, generally find their interest in com. mitting the charge of any matter, whether a petty transaction, or the government of a nation, to one individual, who may be aided, but not absolutely controlled, by the council and assist- ance of others.