With the small infant it may be difficult or even impossible to get nail point two in position to adjust, especially in the middle cervical region. In this event the side of the first finger may be used to an advantage. This will be used, however, only with the smallest infants. In using nail point two it will be an advantage to get the contact near the distal end of the fifth metacarpal bone instead of at the center as in using nail point two on an adult. In adjusting the atlas and axis it is very easy to get the contact with nail point two in the usual manner. The cervical vertebrae of the infant are very small and extreme care must be exercised in adjusting. Sufficient force must be used to move the vertebra. The importance of proper attention to adjusting the segments of the sacrum of the infant and small child can not be overestimated. During childhood the child is subject to many falls and jars which are likely to be centered upon the sacrum. These segments being separated by cartilage are relatively easily subluxated. If they become subluxated in youth incoördinations may develop, which in later life will result in various degrees of discomfort or even defects which will become permanent and for which nothing can be done. There are many conditions in adult life which are without doubt the result of pressure upon sacral nerve and this pressure can not be released because of the inability to move the subluxated segments after they become coalesced. Many deformities and incoördinations in these zones could be averted by proper attention to the segments of the sacrum during childhood. When parents realize the importance of this they will take their children to their chiropractor periodically to have the sacrum as well as the rest of the spinal column palpated. Then the subluxations that have been produced will be taken care of before they become chronic and more difficult to correct. A careful palpation of the segments of the sacrum should be made. The most common subluxation is a rotation resulting in that segment being more prominent on one side than on the other. When a segment is found to be posterior on one side the adjuster should stand on the opposite side and palpate in the usual manner finding the tubercle of the segment subluxated, measuring to a point midway between the tubercle and the ilium with the second finger of the palpating hand. This finger should then be replaced with the second finger of the opposite hand and the pisiform bone of the palpating hand should be used for nail point. If the patient is a very small infant do not change nail hands but use the thumb of the usual nail hand and adjust the same as adjusting a dorsal or lumbar vertebra when using the thumb for nail point. CHAPTER V RESPIRATORY SYSTEM CHAPTER V RESPIRATORY SYSTEM