On Gymnastic Exercises, 333 



some observations on the condition of the muscular power and 

 shape of men who follow different trades, says, " Do not these 

 afford so many lessons which should be remembered when we 

 endeavour to restore the shape of children, whose figure or 

 limbs have become distorted? We ought to consider the 

 effects caused by using particular classes of muscles, as ex- 

 amples in favour of such exercises as will strengthen those 

 muscles which are weakest." 



In pursuance of these principles, he recommends a variety 

 of exercises ; some in the form of games, and such especially 

 as are calculated to act upon certain muscles, as pulling 

 weights over wheels fixed in particular situations, &c. But, 

 although Portal has given us many useful hints, as he has 

 taken erroneous views of the pathology of distortion, and has 

 not made correct distinctions between the different cases, his 

 advice, if followed in every instance, might not only be useless 

 but even hurtful. 



If all the distortions, to which the spine and bones of the 

 chest are liable, depended on the same cause, and were in 

 every respect exactly similar, the treatment found beneficial in 

 one case might be reasonably expected to be good in all. But 

 there is great variety in the cases of distortion ; the whole 

 figure may be in the relaxed condition alluded to, or the spine 

 may be already twisted in consequence of a sponginess and 

 lengthening of the ligaments, while the muscles are at the 

 same time in a debilitated state. In either of these cases, 

 appropriate exercises would quickly restore the figure ; but in 

 another instance, although the distortion might be apparently 

 similar, the shape of the bones may be already altered. Ex- 

 ercises would still be beneficial ; but unless a variety of means 

 were also used to preserve the bones during the intervals of 

 exercise in a favourable position, the vertebrae could not regain 

 their natural forms, on the restoration of which the ultimate 

 cure depends. It may be a question whether climbing ropes, 

 &c., are the exercises the best calculated to remedy a curva- 

 ture of the spine ; but there can be no doubt that their imme- 

 diate effect is to exhaust the vigour of the muscles by which 

 the spine should be supported, and also to relax and lengthen 



