act of stramonium or
belladonna, mixed with glycerine. The joint should be wrapped in cotton
or wool to keep it uniformly warm. If there are openings about the
joint, discharging pus, syringe them out once a day with Castile
soap-suds, which may be improved by adding a little bicarbonate of
potash (common saleratus). See that the bowels are kept regular, and
that the diet is nourishing.

Cases of this disease which have been treated at the Invalids' Hotel and
Surgical Institute with uniform success might be cited to the extent of
filling a very large number of pages like these. When treated by a
skilled specialist, this otherwise formidable and dangerous disease is
readily amenable to treatment, and good and serviceable limbs can be
promised, even in the extreme cases in which amputation is usually
advised by general practitioners and surgeons, who desire the glory that
they imagine they will receive by performing a capital operation.

RICKETS. (RACHITIS.)

Rickets is a scrofulous disease, in which there is derangement of the
entire system, and it finally manifests itself in disease of the bones.
It is characterized by a softening of the bony tissue, due to a
deficiency of earthy or calcareous matter in their composition. It
appears to be a disease incident to cold, damp places, ill-lighted and
imperfectly ventilated rooms, and it especially attacks those who are
uncleanly in their habits.

THE SYMPTOMS of rickets are severe pains in the bones, especially during
the night, febrile excitement and profuse perspiration, paleness of the
face, a sallow and wrinkled appearance of the skin, and derangement of
the digestive organs. After a time the body becomes emaciated, the face
pale, and the head unusually large. The bones become soft and unable to
support the body; various distortions appear; the extremities of the
long bones are enlarged, while the limbs between the joints are very
slender. Rickets is a disease peculiar to childhood, though it may not
be developed until a more advanced period of life. It rarely proves
fatal, unless the lungs, heart, or other vital organs, become involved.
In some instances the softening and other symptoms continue to increase
until every function is affected, and death ensues.

_Post-mortem_ examinations of those who have died of rickets have
disclosed morbid changes in the brain, liver, and lymphatic glands. The
lungs are often compressed or displaced, and the muscles of the body