for curing a Stoop, 



243 



We may even take the shoemaker its an example of the 

 effect of a particular manner of sitting, and of frequently using 

 the muscles of the shoulders. He is also a Uttle in caricature, 

 but he carries himself better than the tailor, and the cause is 

 obvious. The tailor's figure is very erect, but the right shoulder 

 is generally a little higher or larger than the left, from the 

 constant exercise given to the right arm, while the left rests 

 upon the knee : this inequality of the shoulders is not observed 

 in the shoemaker, because he not only uses both arms equally, 

 but the muscles by which the scapulae are supported, become 

 so strong by the habit of jerking back his elbows while he 

 works, that his shoulders always appear more braced back than 

 those of any other class of persons : indeed, so characteristic 

 are the figures of tailors and shoemakers, that they may be 

 easily distinguished in a crowd. 



These circumstances, are mentioned, as they afford familiar 

 examples of the principles on which we ought to proceed, in 

 endeavouring to correct deformities ; but it would be ridiculous 

 to propose the position either of the tailor or of the shoemaker, 

 as the best adapted to correct a stoop or falling fonvard of the 

 shoulders. 



The preceding observations apply also to the contrivances 

 usually employed to keep the shoulders back, and particularly 

 to the question of the propriety of using the common back- 

 collar. The effect which this instrument produces in ordinary 

 cases may be easily comprehended by the following diagram. 



