se, give us information regarding the functions of the suprarenal
capsules about which nothing whatever is as yet known.

A large space in the realm of disease is claimed by _tuberculous
affections of the bones and joints_. These afflictions appear
particularly in childhood though manhood is by no means exempt. They may
appear in all portions of the body, although a marked preference is
shown for certain parts. Although the tubercle-bacilli are infinitely
small, they possess the power to cause suppuration of the bones and
joints and to produce acute inflammation of these parts.

Most frequently tubercular affections of the bones are found in the
hip-joints, the knee and the spinal column.

_Tuberculous inflammation of the hip-joint_ is principally a disease
occurring in childhood; though it rarely appears before the third year.
It is most frequent from the fifth to the tenth year.

Inflammation of the hip-joint developes very slowly in children, it
generally takes months before the slightest beginning symptoms reach a
threatening appearance. The first sign is _lameness_; among laymen
tuberculous inflammation of the hip-joints is known as "voluntary
limping."

By limping we understand that mode of walking in which one leg is spared
and by this the trunk is supported only a short time by one extremity
and all the longer by the other. In every painful affection of the lower
extremity limping results as the weight of the body increases the pain.
The lameness in the case of diseased hip-joint has something peculiar
about it, inasmuch as not only a part of the extremity but the whole of
it is dragged. For this very reason parents of children afflicted with
inflammation of the hip-joint use the expression "the child draws" or
"drags the leg".

In the beginning even the examining physician finds no symptoms of
disease in the joint. No swelling, no abnormal position, no restriction
of the freedom of motion, no pain from pressure or while moving, in
short nothing can be found that would otherwise indicate the beginning
of an inflammation of the joints.

Yet _lameness only_ is sufficient data from which we may infer the
probable beginning of hip-joint inflammation. It is much better to
overestimate the significance of this symptom than to miss the proper
time for calling in the aid of a physician by placing too little
confidence on it.

The second symptom, _pain_, rarely attends the beginning of lameness,
generally it co