From what I have seen of phosphorus in bone disease, and what is thus far known by experience in rachitis, it appears to me that it will be of decided advantage in that form of acute rachitis which is apt to destroy rapidly with the symptoms of acute epiphysitis, rapid pulse, diarrhoea, rapid diminution of strength, and scorbutic gum. In the few cases I have seen these last years it appeared to me to act satisfactorily, together with immobilization of the whole body. Rachitical curvatures are very apt to become less marked while growth is increasing and the limbs extending. But many of them are so marked {166} that they remain for life. Many of these might have been benefited by timely orthopædic interference. That the application of Sayre's jacket is indicated in every form and stage of spondylitis, though it be not equally valuable in all forms, goes without saying; and that infractions ought to be straightened and supported by splints when observed and when practicable, is self-evident. But, as a rule, while the chronic rachitical process is developing in the long bones the use of mechanical apparatuses is of doubtful merit; they ought not to be resorted to before the healing has at least commenced. Nor is it advisable to postpone mechanical interference so long that eburnation of the bones has time to take place. Surgical operations for the purpose of removing the curvature are of different nature according to the different types to be treated. Mere straightening of the curvatures is indicated, and successful with children under two years. Osteoklasy--that is, fracturing of the curvature while the periosteum is left intact--is successful in children of three (or four, according to Volkmann) years. The fracture does not injure the periosteum, and is always transverse. In later years osteotomy has proved successful to an almost unexpected degree, and is one of the happiest achievements of modern surgery. Partly as a preventive, partly as a curative measure, Gramba of Turin and Pini of Milan point to well-directed gymnastics as a requisite in the treatment of rachitis. For older children they have established schools in which systematic exercises are brought to bear on chronic deformities. {167} SCURVY. BY PHILIP S. WALES, M.D. SYNONYMS.--_French_, Scorbut; _Spanish_, Escorbuto; _Italian_, Scorbuto, are the various terms in the Romance languages used to designate this disease, derived from the Middle-Latin word scorbutus, which is evidently an offspring of one of the early Gotho-Teutonic dialects, perhaps of the Low German word Schärbunk, Danish Scorbuck, or the Old Dutch Scheurbuyck, from _scheren_, to separate or tear, and _bunk_, the belly. These terms originally denoted rupture of the belly, and afterward scurvy, or scorvy, as it is found in the English dialect. It has also been traced to the Sclavonic word scorb, disease. The first is now believed to be the true etymology.