Ourselves, our food, and our physic / by Benjamin Ridge.

  • Ridge, Benjamin.
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Ourselves, our food, and our physic / by Benjamin Ridge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    or wcclge-like bone at the back, wliicb forms the base of the spinal column, and on which it rests. The whole of the pelvis being circularly formed and well xmited, wdll be seen to be the centre of strength, on which all the upper members rest, and wherein the lower limbs move easily. The spinal column, or the backbone, consists of a series of bones called vertebra;: the lower, numbering live, are called the lumbar or loins ; above these ai’e twelve, called the doreal or back, then seven above these, called the cervical or neck, on the topmost of wliich is the head. Between each vertebra are natural buffers called cartilages, all held together by strong ligaments, so that the wdiole colimm can bear the heaviest weights or pressure, concussion being thus prevented cither from leaping or jumping. The head or skull, appa- rently but one bone, consists of several: that portion forming the face is also composed of a variety, forming the nose, sockets for the eyes, cheeks, &c. The ear bones are thick and strong, and form the base on each side from which the arches of the skull arise; the various bones of which are called frontal, or forehead—pari’e/a/, or side-bones—occipital, or bone at the back of the head. The ribs are circulai' bones fixed at one end to the dorsal or back vertebra;, and coming round to tlie front, are insei’tcd into the straight flat breastbone, by Avhich arrangement the cavity of the chest is formed. At the top of the ribs there are the collar bones, and at the back two blade or shoulder bones, Avhich meet in a most mechanical manner, and form the sockets for each arm. These have one bone from the shoulder to the elbow, and two from tlie elbow to the WTist, forming the fore-arm; whilst the Amsts and hands are com2)osed of many bones similar to the ankles and feet. The bones themselves are porous, the long shaft bones being hollowed, and liaving an internal pith or marroAV. Externally they are covered Avith a thick, tough skin peculiar to them, which adds gi’eatly to their strength. The number of bones of the body have been estimated by various anatomists at 200, 253, and 197 ; the difierence being simply in their diA'isions, cs2)ecially of those Avhich are so combined as to form appa- rently only one, yet may bo se2>arated into more 2)firts. Joints, with theiii Cartilages and Ligaments.—Every joint is formed of tAvo or more bones, haAung their ends pro-