An essay on curvatures and diseases of the spine, including all the forms of spinal distortion: to which the Fothergillian Gold Medal was awarded by the Medical Society of London and presented, at a special meeting, on the 3rd of May, 1824: with some additions / By R.W. Bampfield.

  • Bampfield, R. W. (Robert William), -1827.
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on curvatures and diseases of the spine, including all the forms of spinal distortion: to which the Fothergillian Gold Medal was awarded by the Medical Society of London and presented, at a special meeting, on the 3rd of May, 1824: with some additions / By R.W. Bampfield. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ally incline forward from their junction with the first dorsal ; but in the state of dorsal curvature just de- scribed, they become placed almost horizontally in the erect attitude of the body. As the curvature increases, the spinous processes of the dorsal vertebrze gradually separate from each other; but the greatest degree of separation takes place about the middle of the curve, where the space of half an inch is left be- tween them, and the forefinger can be easily inserted. When they are separated at this distance, it may be always inferred with much probability, if not certain- ty, that the horizontal surface of the bodies of the vertebrae, of which these spinous processes are cor- responding parts, are either greatly or wholly ab- sorbed, as well as the intervertebral substances. be- tween them. Excurvation of the spine is generally accompanied with distortion of the coste and ‘ster- num. During the formation of an excurvation, the general health becomes impaired, and particular or- gans and functions suffer derangement, the sympto- matology of which cannot be very briefly disposed of; for although the description drawn may enable the surgeon to distinguish the disease in its different stages, yet it is necessary to a due comprehension of it, to enumerate and examine the evils it brings in its train, and to take a review of many of the morbid effects it produces on the various structures, systems, organs, and functions of the body.