At first, during slight curvature from such causes, the spine can be brought into its original straight position by the voluntary action of its muscles. After some time, however, the curve cannot be remedied by any effort; interstitial absorption of the bodies of the vertebræ towards the concavity of the curve occurs; they become changed in form, and accommodated to their altered position, as shown in the accompanying sketch; the muscles also accommodate themselves to the new position, as do also the various ligaments connected with the spinal column. When the curvature is seated in the dorsal vertebræ it is generally to the right side; this shoulder is raised, and the chest is protruded, whilst the opposite side is depressed and flattened. The clothes hang loose, or fall off on the left side—the patient rests the weight of his body chiefly on the left leg—on stooping the right scapula projects, and, on examination, is found to be nearer to the spinous processes of the vertebræ than the left. The left cavity of the chest is diminished, and the ribs press upon the heart and lungs, causing difficulty of breathing. To preserve the balance of the body, a curvature occurs below the former, and in the opposite direction; and not unfrequently there is a third incurvation situated above the primary one. The bones of the pelvis become distorted, and are twisted to one side; or, when the softening is great, and the patient confined to the recumbent position, the introitus of the cavity becomes diminished in the antero-posterior diameter; and, if the patient walk about, the ossa pubis are squeezed together, in consequence of the pressure of the ossa femora against the acetabula. The crests of the ilia are often bent inwards, in consequence of the pressure of steel apparatus injudiciously applied with a view of removing deformity. When the bones become consolidated after such distortion, they present most serious obstacles to parturition; and, most unfortunately, crooked and deformed women possess, it is said, “great aptitude for conception.” When, in such females, the untoward circumstance of pregnancy has occurred, it has been necessary, in some, to have recourse to the Cæsarean operation, and others have been delivered with the greatest difficulty and danger; notwithstanding which, many of these latter have, after recovering from a long and tedious illness, again become pregnant. In some cases the softened ribs not only compress the organs of the chest, but are also pressed down upon the abdominal viscera, or even into the pelvis. The symptoms arising from such displacement are at first urgent, as can readily be imagined, and are often treated as inflammatory, to the detriment of the patient.