Observations on the treatment of lateral curvature of the spine : pointing out the advantages to be gained by placing the body in a position to produce lateral flexion of the vertebral column, combined with the after application of firm mechanical support / by Edward F. Lonsdale.

  • Lonsdale, Edward F. (Edward Francis), -1857.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the treatment of lateral curvature of the spine : pointing out the advantages to be gained by placing the body in a position to produce lateral flexion of the vertebral column, combined with the after application of firm mechanical support / by Edward F. Lonsdale. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in many cases it may be only slight, but in others to a very marked extent. In these cases I say it is often very difficult to trace the cause. Again, the curvature is almost always found to be towards the right side •* it is the exception (and it is met with) for it to be towards the left. The consideration of this point possesses some interest, and will be found to depend on many circum- stances, of which I should offer the following ex- planation ; it however will not be found satisfactory in all cases. In the first place, as a general rule, (and I am now speaking not only of the higher classes of society, but of all those who are not employed in physical labours, requiring great muscular exertion, for when so employed, women exercise the muscles relatively as much as men, and therefore become proportionably strong,) girls lead a more sedentary life than boys;—they are occupied for hours 'toge- ther in the same position, and this, one which throws the spine out of the erect line. This may be illustrated by a very simple and very common * By the term “ curvature to the right side,” I mean that the spine is thrown over to the right, the projection being in that direction. The concavity of the bend is of course to the left.