ities are found
to exist in the bones of children and of old people which call for special
care of the skeleton during the first and last periods of life. The bones
of children are soft, lacking mineral matter, and are liable to become
bent For this reason, children who are encouraged to walk at too early an
age may bend the thigh bones, causing the too familiar "bow-legs." These
bones may also be bent by having children sit on benches and chairs which
are too high for the feet to reach the floor, and which do not provide
supports for the feet. Wholesome food, fresh air, sunlight, and exercise
are also necessary to the proper development of the bones of children.
Where these natural conditions are lacking, as in the crowded districts of
cities, children often suffer from a disease known as "rickets," on
account of which their bones are unnaturally soft and easily bent.

On account of the accumulation of mineral matter, the bones of elderly
people become brittle and are easily broken, and from lack of vigor of the
bone cells they heal slowly after such injuries occur. This makes the
breaking of a bone by an aged person a serious matter. Old people should,
as far as possible, avoid liabilities to falls, such as going rapidly up
and down stairs, or walking on icy sidewalks, and should use the utmost
care in getting about. In old people also the cartilage between the bones
softens, increasing the liability of getting misshaped. Special attention,
therefore, should be given to erectness of form, and to such exercises as
tend to preserve the natural shape of the body.

*Treatment of Fractures.*--A fractured bone always requires the aid of a
surgeon, and no time should be lost in securing his services. In the
meantime the patient should be put in a comfortable position, and the
broken limb supported above the rest of the body. Though the breaking of a
bone is not, as a rule, a serious mishap, it is necessary that the very
best skill be employed in setting it. Any failure to bring the ends of the
broken bone into their normal relations permanently deforms the limb and
interferes with its use.

*Dislocations and Sprains.*--Dislocations, if they be of the larger joints,
also require the aid of the surgeon in their reduction and sometimes in
their subsequent treatment. Simple dislocations of the finger joints,
however, may be reduced by pulling the parts until the bones can be
slipped into position.

_A sprain_, which is an ove