On Gymnastic Exercises* S2S 



the expression, that may be observed in porters, or more par-» 

 ticularly in the women who carry burdens suspended by a strap 

 round the forehead ; but the stringiness of the neck is from 

 another cause, which will be explained in the observations on 

 stooping. 



The same objections apply to the plan of making those, who 

 are slightly deformed, practise themselves in hanging by one 

 or both arms. 



The spine may appear more straight for the time ; but the 

 exertion to support the whole body is so great in the muscles 

 of the shoulders and neck, that the effect is similar to that pro- 

 duced by climbing a rope or ladder. Indeed any one may be 

 satisfied of this being the effect, by trying either of those exer-» 

 cises.* 



Medical men are now often asked to give an opinion on the 

 effect of certain postures and exercises, which have got the fine 

 sounding name of Calisthenics. 



Although it was not to be expected that those who proposed 

 the exercises should be acquainted with the action of the seve* 

 ral classes of muscles, it would not have been surprising if they 

 had hit on some plans of exercising the muscles of the spine 

 and ribs, that would have been useful in cases of distortion; 

 but the principal exercises scarcely produce any effect on those 

 muscles. Even some medical men who have proposed exer- 

 cises of the arms for the cure of distortion, seem to have for- 

 gotten that many of the muscles of the shoulder have little or 

 no effect on the spine or ribs. Unless exercises bring the 

 muscles of the spine and ribs immediately into action, they 

 have little effect on the position of the shoulders. 



Ail that can be said in favour of the Calisthenics, is, that they 

 are not attended with any danger, and that they may assist in 

 improving the figure of a girl, who is merely sluggish and 

 awkward ; but the exercises proposed some years ago by Mr. 

 Jenkins, who has been long known as a dancing-master, are 



* Even the turning a wheel, which is considered one of the most 

 simple and innocent modes of strengthening the muscles of the chest, 

 may be injurious, unless it. be judiciously managed. When the handle 

 of the wheel is held by both hands, nearly in contact with each other, 

 the effect of tiurning it, is rather to contract than dilate the area of th^ 

 chest ...--. 



