After some time, as the state of the patient’s health improves, the bones in some degree regain their original firmness, and the curvatures are rendered permanent. New bone is deposited in the concavity of the curve, at first in irregular masses, but afterwards becoming condensed, and assuming a more regular form, the column is thereby supported and strengthened. Bending of the spine backward, with depression of the spinous processes, is extremely rare. But curvature forward, with projection of these processes, is by no means uncommon, and is generally supposed to be caused by caries of the bodies of the vertebræ; in many instances, however, it arises from interstitial absorption only. Curvature from caries of the vertebræ, though not so frequent as the curvature from other causes, is met with pretty often. In adults, the curvature from ulcerative absorption is more common than that from softening of the bones. It is attended with the formation of purulent matter, which presents in the loins, at the top of the thigh, or near the anus; the bones may become affected secondarily, though much less frequently, in consequence of the formation and accumulation of purulent matter in their neighbourhood. There is pain in the loins; the patient walks in a stooping posture, and often complains of pain in the knee or thigh. The lower limbs sometimes become paralytic, as also the sphincters and extremities of the hollow viscera; this, however, may arise, without curvature, from softening of, or effusion on, the chord, or diseased thickening of its membranes. In some cases the palsy supervenes slowly; at first the patient has an awkward gait; he lifts his feet high to avoid stumbling, and afterwards puts them down clumsily and suddenly; the foot, in some cases, is extended, so that the patient is unable to plant the sole on the ground. Retention of urine occurs, and is followed by incontinence, with copious deposits.