This book is a landmark in American medical photography since it was among the earliest texts to contain actual mounted photographs. The illustrations are remarkable for their artistic quality and were taken in both New York City and London. The photos demonstrate the various therapeutic devices applied by Sayre as well as the successful results accomplished by the treatments. There are 21 images, all of them woodburytypes. The four folding plates are mounted with 15 images of procedural tableaus, depicting the operations of suspension and application of the plaster jacket. In four sequences of three or four photographs apiece, some of which were made by the famous professional photographer John E. Mayall [sic], Sayre himself is usually in the picture as he demonstrates his method of treatment for scoliosis. In addition, all four patients are photographed before and after their treatments. A German translation of the work came out in Leipzig in 1883 under the title, "Die Spondylitis," adapted by J. H. Gelbke. The pictures are the same as in the original English edition, albeit here reproduced as four collotype plates. Although the photos are not credited, it is probable that the two images of Mabel Gooding were made by Mayall and the other 19 images were made by O. G. Mason in New York.

Sayre chose to publish this photographic masterpiece in the two countries where he practiced orthopedic surgery, presenting cases and testimonials from his patients in both England and the United States. Of the 21 woodburytype images, the most affecting are the two of Mabel Gooding, the 10 year old daughter of Dr. J. Gooding of Cheltenham England. The girl was suffering from Pott’s disease of the cervical and upper dorsal vertebrae which developed after a fall when she was 19 months old. The deformity had become so severe, Sayre refused at first to treat her, however the child begged Sayre to "try" with such imploring looks that at length he affixed her to his suspending tripod with very favorable results. Dr. Gooding then arranged for the plaster jacket to be applied on July 25, 1877 at Guy’s Hospital before a company of his colleagues. The father’s testimonials which followed express his deep gratitude for the Sayre therapy which he credits with the cure of Mabel’s paraplegia and immobility.