On Gymnastic Exercises. 331 



If they escape this very serious misfortune, what is gained by 

 a pre-eminence in performing violent exercises?— A species of 

 deformity; at least, a form not to be admired. If young 

 ladies are taught by a sensible dancing-master, and boys learn 

 to fence, there will be little occasion for any formal exercises 

 in addition to those taken in the various school games, and in 

 skipping, playing battledore, &c. 



As much has been said of the possibility of curing all distor- 

 tions of the figure by particular exercises, it is necessary to 

 make a few remarks on this question. 



We have frequent opportunities of observing the good effects 

 that are produced by a variety of exercises on young ladies who 

 are in that state of listlessness and muscular inactivity which 

 causes the chest to appear contracted, and even gives the ap- 

 pearance of curvature of the spine. The chest soon becomes 

 expanded, and instead of continuing to walk in a stiff awkward 

 manner, as if the spine was distorted, the girl carries herself 

 erect and with an elasticity and pliancy of the whole figure. 

 But what is, perhaps, of more importance, a complete change 

 takes place in her constitution ; as, for example, if she had an 

 habitual cough, it will most probably have ceased*. Indeed, a 

 change for the better may be observed in every organ, and par- 

 ticularly in the state of the skin, which being of the first im- 

 portance in the animal economy, should always attract atten- 

 tion in such cases. 



But although the most beneficial effects are produced by ex 

 ercises, we shall be disappointed if we trust entirely to them in 

 cases where the spine is actually distorted, and even when the 

 curvature is slight. 



Those who are ignorant of the variety in the diseases of the 

 spine are apt to be deceived with regard to the effects produced 



• The following curious remark is made by Fuller in his Medidna 

 Gymnastica: — "And so I think it is no less obvious if exercise be 

 as efficacious as I assert, that it is in our choice whether a cough 

 shall run on to a consumption." The good effects which ensue from 

 exercises would almost induce us to give entire credit to Fuller's views, 

 and to treat a girl who has a cough nearly in the same manner as if her 

 spine was distorted ; for it has been frequently remarked by a mother, 

 that her daughter has not had her winter^cough, since she begiin th6 

 system of treatment to remedy the ciurve of the spine. 



Z2 



