I think this condition is worthy of recognition, in that, if it is sought for and found, a number of patients may be relieved of more or less distressing symptoms. A certain type of backache may be put upon a definite basis. The anatomic predisposition to injury is clear to any one. The ultimate result, complete dislocation, which is certainly to be feared, is recognized as a serious condition. Whether the patient resorts to brace wearing or operation for relief is his own affair, depending on age, sex, health, and particularly upon occupation.
If the condition may be recognized upon routine examination a number of children may be spared blame for bad posture that should not properly attach to them. It is also interesting in connection with industrial surgery. For example, spondylolisthesis is particularly prevalent among the miners in Wales, where it is sometimes referred to as "miner's back." Early recognition of this condition in examining large bodies of men and determining their fitness for various forms of labor might thus be of importance from an economic standpoint.