Deformities of the Head
Deformity of the head appears very early in the dis-ease and is due to the thickening of the cranial bones, producing the typical square head of rickets. This square head is known as caput quadratum. Numerous soft spots are formed in the cranial bones which when pressed upon give one the impression that he is feeling parchment. This is known as cranial tabies. The fontanels and sutures are very late in closing, sometimes as late as the third or fourth year. The large rachitic head must not be mistaken for hydrocephalus.