On Gymnastic Exercises. 387 



case being fully understood before violent exercises are pro- 

 posed, and also that, although various exercises may be benefi- 

 cial in almost every stage of lateral curvature when judiciously 

 managed, they will be of little avail in restoring the figure, un- 

 less the bones be kept in proper relation to each other during 

 the intervals of rest; nor should it be forgotten that the 

 changes which take place in the form of the individual bones 

 of the trunk are so gradual and so imperceptible, that an indis- 

 criminate use of different kinds of exercise may be injurious 

 even in the simplest case. 



Under all these difficulties it may be affirmed, that unless 

 the exercises are superintended by a person thoroughly ac- 

 quainted, not only with the natural actions of the several 

 classes of muscles, but also with the causes of certain changes 

 in the form, they may be more detrimental than useful. When 

 there is only a degree of lassitude, and before distortion has 

 actually taken place, various exercises are safe and useful ; but 

 when the spine has become in the slightest degree distorted, it 

 is necessary to pay strict attention to the effects produced by 

 each kind of exercise, and even when employed merely as the 

 means of keeping up the tone of the muscles while the patient 

 is submitting to other plans of treatment. 



On the Introduction of Salt as an Agricultural Agent, 



In the few years which have elapsed since the late Sir Thomas 

 Bernard first directed the general attention of the public to the 

 immense value of salt for agricultural purposes, by the publi- 

 cation of his " Case of the Salt Duties," its progress has been 

 almost great enough to satisfy even its warmest advocates; 

 and although it has lost, in my valued correspondent, and in 

 the late Samuel Parkes, Esq., two able friends, yet I rejoice to 

 say that it will soon be in a state no longer to need the autho- 

 rity of a single name to induce its general employment. 



The large and increasing sale of refuse salt to the farmers 

 demonstrates the interest they have taken in its examination ; 

 and when we consider that a waggon can convey into the inland 

 districts, where manure is generally the most valuable, salt 



