CONSERVATION OF HUMAN ENERGY. 405 



The one central thought which I wish to emphasize is the para- 

 mount principle that beauty of form depends upon accurate adjust- 

 ments of the skeletal structures along with the fullest possible elasticity 

 of the tissues. Perfect equipoise assumes elasticity of muscles and com- 

 plete mobility of ligaments and tendons consonant with their func- 

 tions along with capacity for fullest relaxation. Further, as age 

 advances and disease or mal-use exerts its deforming effects, undue 

 pressure is placed upon vital structures such as blood vessels and 

 nerves, and innervation and circulation are interfered with, less or more, 

 until as middle life passes and plasticity subsides, various noble tissues 

 are impaired and vital organs suffer functional limitations. For 

 instance, the eye, the ear, the brain thus fail to maintain perfect nutri- 

 tion, and acuity of vision, hearing and cerebration lessen steadily, 

 unless the tissues of the neck are kept free from rigidities. The fact 

 is obvious enough and capable of easy demonstration, that the more 

 elastic person enjoys fuller organic competence than one whose tissues 

 are dense or rigid. 



Density is bad enough, for reasons cited, but it is worse if deformity 

 is added. For thereby is not only the caliber of blood vessels and 

 nerve fibers, tendon sheaths, structures of the thorax, etc., compressed, 

 but the lungs, because of thoracic incompetence, become incapable of 

 exerting their full duty in oxj'genation, and the power of the great 

 oxygenating grounds, the muscles, begins to wane. Ugliness inevitably 

 follows, not confined to shapelessness and warping, but color suffers, 

 not only of skin or hair, but congestions or lividities are shown upon 

 eyes, lips and nose. Nothing so centralizes the esthetic effect as the 

 condition of the eyes; if these are clear and bright much else is over- 

 looked. 



Again, inadequate oxygenation and lymphatic stasis are correlated. 

 Mere bulkiness is not displeasing to the eye, and many fat people are 

 exceedingly handsome, often graceful, and exhibit most agreeable lines 

 and color. A far more uncomely appearance is produced by the un- 

 healthy thickening of tissues, only too common, occurring about the 

 waist line from lymphatic stasis in those otherwise not overnourished. 

 This water-logged condition often indicates grave departures from 

 health and is capable of much amelioration, oftentimes it can be en- 

 tirely removed, and always with advantage to health as well as to 

 appearance. Free exercises will not accomplish so much as elasticizing 

 movements judiciously increased, full passive stretchings, readjust- 

 ments and full accurate breathing. It is true that violent and pro- 

 longed gymnastic performances will do a good deal, but these are often 

 not feasible, or are distasteful, and the intelligent employment of per- 

 sonally directed exact movements can always be most safely relied on. 

 The one essential principle is accuracy, with increased forcefulness to 

 the limit of tension, with intervening periods of complete relaxation. 



