foot and mouth If the spinal fluid is under extreme pressure, however, the procedure carries some risk of complications; a different technique is then used to minimize risk. COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY Computed tomography, or CT scanning, is a sophisticated xray study. A series of xray films is made of a part of the body, such as the head or the torso. The patient is placed in a tunnellike opening in the scanning machine. He does not have to be repositioned for each picture, as he would for ordinary xray films, because the scanning machine is capable of taking xray images from many different angles. A computer then assembles those xray images into crosssectional pictures of that part of the body. CT scans are used to find abnormal growths or other problems in areas that are inside the body and therefore impossible to see without potentially dangerous exploratory surgery. For example, the brain can be examined for an abnormal growth without opening up the skull. CT scans are usually done in a hospital. The equipment for the procedure is expensive, and a limited number of scanners are available. Sometimes a patient must be transported to another hospital, or even to another town, for this test because a scanner is not available in his or her hometown. The normal newborn baby Getting to know your newborn baby is one oj the joys of parenthood. Every baby is different. Although this section is especially intended for firsttime parents, anyone who has a new baby may find a "refresher course" useful. If you expect your second baby to be just like your first, you may be in for a surprise. One thing that is easy to forget is how tiny even the healthiest, heftiest baby really is. A newborn usually is only 18 to 21 inches long, stretched out. And very young babies often keep their legs in the pre birth, foldedup position for several months, which makes them seem even smaller. The baby was in that position for many months before birth, and it takes a while to get used to an uncramped environment. Remember that at birth the baby has left a warm. dark, still, safe environment; been pushed through a narrow birth canal; and been suddenly thrust into light, noise, and a new degree of independence. It's a difficult adjustment to make, even more difficult than the adjustment you must make as new parents. There are some things about a new baby's appearance that may worry you if you're not prepared. For instance, it is perfectly normal for a newborn baby to be born with a bluish tinge to the skin (which soon turns to pinkishred), with a slightly lopsided head, and with soft spots, called fontanelles, above the forehead and at the top of the head. It is also quite common for a new baby to have jaundice, which gives a yellowish color to the skin and the whites of the eyes. Although the baby went through a period of incredible growth and development before birth, the newborn still has a lot of growing and developing to do. chicken