a long time.

HIP JOINT DISEASE. (Morbus Coxarius).--This is more common in children
than in adults.

Cause.--It is usually tubercular.

Symptoms. First stage.--It may be overlooked; slight lameness, a little
stiffness is noticed at times. The muscles begin to dwindle.

Second stage.--Child limps very perceptibly, dwindling is more apparent.
Pain appears.

Treatment.--Absolute rest. Lying down treatment if begun early arrests
this disease often. Build up the system. Splints and brace are needed
sometimes.

KNEE JOINT DISEASE. (White Swelling).--This is simply a tuberculous knee.

Treatment.--Rest. Stop motion of the joint by some form of splint or
plaster of Paris cast. Get a good physician at the beginning in these
cases and you will save lots of after worry and blame for yourself. It
does not pay to wait. These joint diseases will progress, and often
treatment is begun months after trouble is seated. It ought to be criminal
negligence and dealt with accordingly to neglect such diseases. Parents
should never forget that they have endowed their children with such a
constitution, and they should be glad and willing to correct it as far as
they can.

[INFECTIOUS DISEASES 237]

LEPROSY. Definition.--Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease, caused by
what is called the "Bacillus Leprae," and is characterized by the presence
of tubercular nodules in the skin and mucous membranes (tubercular
leprosy), or by changes in the nerves (anaesthetic leprosy). These forms
are separate at first, but ultimately they are combined and there are
disturbances of sensation in the characteristic tubercular form.

History.--Leprosy is supposed to have originated in the Orient, and to be
as old as the records of history. It appears to have prevailed in Egypt
even so far back as three or four thousand years before Christ. The Hebrew
writers make many references to it, and it is no doubt described in
Leviticus. The affection was also known both in India and China many
centuries before the Christian era. The old Greek and Roman physicians
were familiar with its manifestations, ancient Peruvian pottery represent
on their pieces deformities suggestive of this disease. The disease
prevailed extensively in Europe throughout the middle ages and the number
of leper asylums has been estimated at, at least, 20,000. Its prevalence
is now restricted in the lands where it still occurs while once it was
prominent in the list of scourges o