A probationary essay, on the causes and treatment of lateral curvature of the human spine; submitted ... to ... the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh / [Robert Knox].

  • Knox, Robert, 1791-1862.
Date:
1825
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A probationary essay, on the causes and treatment of lateral curvature of the human spine; submitted ... to ... the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh / [Robert Knox]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    to health which can be well devised), seems to have been in use even amongst the Romans, at a much earlier period than that of Galen. Terence f describes admirably both the intention and results of such applications : “ Haud similis virgo est virginum nostrarum quas matres student; Demissis humeris esse vincto pectore ut graciles sient; Si qua est habitior paulo, pugilem esse aiunt; deducunt cibum. Tametsi bona est natura, reddunt curatura junceas; itaque ergo amantur.” But Terence is well known to have borrowed freely from the Greek dramatists, and chiefly to have followed and imitated Menander, some of whose comedies he translated literally : it is possible, there¬ fore, that the observation in the text may not have been meant to be applied to the Romans but to the Greeks. It is evident, however, that a part of the delete¬ rious and injurious effects arising from the use of corsets, has been done away with, for I presume that they are not now worn by infants, nor applied, so far as I know, with the same views as in ancient times ; the object which is now most aimed at, seems to be the tightening the waist, and the giving to it a small, delicate, and roundish form. In no way, however, * Eun. Act 2. seen. 3.