This disorder affects the bones of children, and causes a
considerable protuberance, incurvation, or distortion of them. It may
arise from various causes, but more particularly when proper care has
not been taken with children: when they have been too tightly swathed
in some parts, and too loose in others; keeping them too long in one
and the same position; and not keeping them clean and dry. Sometimes
it may proceed from a lax habit, and at others from costiveness.
It usually appears about the eighth or ninth month, and continues
till the sixth or seventh year of the child’s age. The head becomes
large, and the fontanelle keeps long open; the countenance is full
and florid; the joints knotty and distorted, especially about the
wrists; less near the ancles. The ribs protuberate, and grow crooked;
the belly swells; a cough and disorder of the lungs succeed; and the
child moves but weakly, and waddles in walking.
_Regimen, &c._
The regimen should be light and properly seasoned; the air dry and
clear. Exercise and motion should be encouraged, and bandages,
as well as instruments, contrived to keep the limbs in a proper
situation; but care should be taken that they be so formed as not to
put the child to pain, or restrain it too much.
Cold sea-bathing is of infinite use; after which friction should be
used, and the child placed between two blankets, so as to encourage
perspiration. The back should be well rubbed with opodeldoc, or good
old rum, every night.
A few grains of ipecacuanha or calomel may occasionally be proper,
and chalybeates are also very serviceable.
A decoction of Peruvian bark is also good with red wine: and should
be used with moderation in the forenoon and after dinner.