Distorter

He who, or that which, distorts or per verts. Distortion, (dis-tor's hun,) n. [Fr. dis torsion, from Lat. distortio .] Act of distorting or wresting; a deforming out of regular shape; a writhing or twisting motion.-State of being deformed or twisted out of shape; crookedne ; grimace; a perversion of the true meaning of words. "The bel lowings and distortions of enthusiasm." -Add is on. ( Surg . ) A permanent deviation from the natural shape or position of the body, producing visible deformity. D. may arise from several causes. It generally occurs after birth, and thus differs from deformity, which is for the most part congenital. D. is frequently occasioned by affections of the muscles or nerves. It is well known that every movable part of the body is furnished with two sets of muscles acting in contrary directions, by means of which it is not only moved, but also retained in its natural position. Hence it is evident that, if, by means of injury to one of these sets of muscles, or of the nerves communicating with them, their contractility is destroyed or impaired, the part can no longer be maintained in its natural position, but will be drawn towards the antagonistic muscle. In this way various kinds of lamene , wry neck, squinting, ., are produced. The most common cause of D. , however, is disease of the bones. These are sometimes deficient in the earthy matter which gives them hardne and rigidity, and thus are incapable of supporting the weight of the parts which they are designed to bear, or of sustaining the muscular action, without becoming bent and distorted. From this arises the disease known as rickets , q. v. The D. known as lateral curvature of the spine arises from weakne in the vertebral muscles, inducing a habit of resting the weight of the body more on one side than on the other. Unlike rickets, which commence early, this does not usually make its appearance before the tenth year, and is commonly found among slender and delicate females in the higher and middle ranks of life. It is generally occasioned by too much confinement and restraint, and is best got rid of by plenty of free exercise of the limbs in the open air. Angular curvature of the spine differs entirely from the above, and is occasioned, for the most part, by ulceration of the body of one or more of the vertebræ. The support in front being thus lost, the spine is bent sharply forwards, and one or more of the spinous proce es project behind. Perfect rest in the horizontal position, i ues and setons in the neighborhood of the diseased bone, and attention to the general health, is the treatment to be adopted in this case. Diseases of a similar kind frequently occur in the bones and joints of other parts of the body, and require similar treatment. D. may also arise from a variety of other causes, as rheumatism, gout, burns, and various chronic and local affections; but these come more properly for consideration under their own heads. (Phot.) A term applied to the unnatural increase in size of certain parts of the picture. D. may arise from several causes such as using too small a lens; not using a sufficiently large diaphragın or stop; by approaching the object too closely; or by the lens itself being improperly connected. Distort'ive, a . Forming or having distortions. Distort'er, n . [From Lat. distorqueo , to wrest aside] (Anat.) A muscle, the office of which is to draw the mouth awry. Distract', v. a. [Lat. distraho, distract us -dis, and The American Dictionary and Cyclopedia traho, to draw. See TRACT.] To draw or pull asunder or apart; to separate forcibly; to pull in different directions; to cause a division; as, a distracted army. Shaks. To throw into confusion; to divert from any point or object toward another point, or toward various other objects; to draw toward different objects; as, to distract the attention.- To confound; to hara ; to perplex; to fill with different or contrary considerations. "And sense distract to know well what I utter." -Milton . -To derange or confuse the intellect; to disorder the reason of; as, distracted with grief. Distractedly, adv . Madly; frantically; furiously; wildly. Distractedne , n. State of being demented or dis tracted.