On the growth of the recruit and young soldier : with a view to a judicious selection of "growing lads" for the army, and a regulated system of training for recruits / by Sir William Aitken.

  • Aitken, William, 1825-1892.
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the growth of the recruit and young soldier : with a view to a judicious selection of "growing lads" for the army, and a regulated system of training for recruits / by Sir William Aitken. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    (see woodcut of Axial Skeleton, p. 78), including the lower two dorsal and upper two lumbar vertebras. It is the most concave part of the dorso-lumbar curve ; and in the living body forms what is called the hollow of the back ; and the circumference of the trunk at this part, the waist, is less than else- where. Every now and then we are awakened to a sense of the weakness of this portion of the column by the sudden jar which is felt here on making a false step, or in suddenly and unexpectedly slipping off the pavement.^ Here also fatigue is felt, especi- ally in prolonged marches and drill ; and aching is ■ experienced in the preliminary stages of fever and ague. Let us now examine the changes which go on very slowly and gradually in the development , of these several bones of the spine during adolescence ; and in doing so let us mainly confine our attention to the periods which concern the recruit's age 18 to 2 5. It is not till the period of puberty that the vertebra gradually attain to nearly their full size and shape ; 2 and every one of the individual bones (vertebri) composing the spinal column in the younger skeleton (at 18 years of age) is imperfect as regards either Its development or its growth,' or in both of these qualities according to its kind and position in the column. ' Humphrey, /. c, p. 170. ^ Quain's Anaiomy, 8th edition, edited by Dr. Sharpey, Dr. Allen Thomson, and E. A. Schafer, p. 20. v y, . ^iien G