In other cases it is not the bones which are soft, but the muscles and ligaments which hold the spine in a proper position are defective. Where the bone is felt to be good-sized and hard, and the surrounding substance too soft, it is a case of this kind. To proper nourishment, in this case, must be added proper _exercise_ of the muscles concerned. Immovable plaster jackets are bad, because they forbid this. This exercise may best be given by rubbing (_see_ Exercise and Massage). Gentle rubbing and pressure over the back, with hot OLIVE OIL (_see_), will work wonders in such a case. During the rubbing the patient should lie down _at full length_. It must also be done so as to be _pleasant_, or it is of no use. See that the patient has plenty of rest, and only as much walking exercise as is evidently enjoyed. There may be complications with other troubles--for example, a quick pulse and some fever heat, if the temperature is tested. That will require to be itself treated with repeated rubbings of finely wrought lather over the stomach and bowels. Until you have in some measure subdued this fever, you will not do much in the way of improving the muscles of the back. In many cases you will be able to bring the fever down completely, and then you will be free to exercise the muscles, and so to strengthen them that they will bring the spine to something like its proper shape. (_See_ Assimilation; Diet; Digestion; Nerves; Nourishment; Paralysis; Massage.) Spine, Weakness of the.--_See_ Children's Healthy Growth. Sprains or Racks.--A sprain is usually the result of some involuntary stress coming upon the part. If the injury be to the muscular substance only, it is easily healed; hot fomentations should be given to the sprained parts, with perfect rest and every possible ease and comfort by position, etc., and nature will soon effect a cure. If the injury be really to the _nerves_ which control the muscles, as is generally the case, the matter is more difficult. The muscle swells, but this is primarily due to the overstrain of the nerves in the sudden effort they make to bear a crushing load on the muscle. The pain is from pressure in the swelling, and also from inflammatory action. The cure, then, must be applied to the motor nerves controlling the muscles, and is best applied at their roots in the spinal cord. If the arm, hand, or wrist be sprained, rub gently the upper spinal region with warm olive oil, continuing the rubbing _gently_ down the arm to the injured part (_see_ Rubbing) until the whole shoulder and arm glow with comfortable warmth. But all rubbing such as causes pain must be avoided. If such rubbing cannot be managed, then a hot BRAN POULTICE (_see_) must be placed between the shoulders, and a warm fomentation given to the shoulder and arm. The treatment should be given once a day, and ere many days the sprain should be cured. For ankle and knee sprains, the lower back and leg must be treated on similar principles.