lateral curvature of the spine is a
marked projection of the right scapula, or shoulder-blade. It is
sometimes first observed by the dressmaker, or, accidentally, while
bathing. The right shoulder is slightly elevated, while the left hip is
depressed and projects upward. If not corrected while in its earlier
stages, it progresses very rapidly, and a second curvature is developed.
The symptoms vary in different cases, and in the early stages are
somewhat obscure and undefined, but generally the patient feels a sense
of uneasiness, languor, stupor, and nervousness, loss of energy and
ambition, general debility, poor appetite, gradually declining health,
loss of strength and flesh, and, as the disease progresses, a slight
elevation of one of the shoulder-blades is noticed, as well as the
deviation of the spine to one side. The curve, or distortion, of the
spine increases more rapidly as the body becomes heavier, the spine
often assuming the shape of the letter S, and, from compression by
torsion of the vertebrae and distortion of the ribs, the vital organs are
encroached upon, causing serious functional derangement of the heart,
lungs, liver, and stomach, producing, as its inevitable consequence a
list of maladies fearful to contemplate.

CAUSES. In rare instances, the lateral curvature of the spine is due to
defects of certain bones of the pelvis or limbs. Cases are recorded in
which this deformity was caused by diseases of the abdominal organs,
but, as we have intimated, it is generally due to a lack of tonicity of
the muscles, or, as a late writer has expressed it, "Want of
correspondence in the antagonism of those muscles which control the
motions of the spinal column." Habitual sitting or standing in a leaning
posture, or standing upon one foot, thus constantly using one set of the
muscles of the back, while the other becomes enfeebled by the lack of
exercise, is a common cause of this deformity. The habit which so many
school-girls contract of drawing up one foot under the body while
sitting, often produces a lateral curvature of the spine.

TREATMENT. No disease or deformity of the spine is so easily cured and
perfectly corrected, if the proper plan of treatment is pursued. To
correct this deformity, many ingenious forms of apparatus have been
devised and invented by our specialists, which should be carefully
adjusted to each individual case. In addition to this, our method of
treatment by "vitalization," and by m