638 



Reading-Course for Farmers' Wives. 



and injuriously used. Strain is brought upon the muscles of the lower 

 back — the internal as well as the external — frequently causing back- 

 ache, while the front waist and the abdominal muscles are more or 

 less relaxed; whereas, of all the muscles of the body these are required 

 to do the most important work of supporting the vital organs and 

 should be especially firm and strong as they are. Other results of such 

 bad uses of the body are heaviness of movement, unnecessary fatigue, 

 and frequently nervousness and serious pelvic troubles. 



The normal, true attitudes in standing are shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 

 II. In these the body is so poised that the back maintains its natural 

 double-curve (Fig. 7), and the upper portion (the chest and bust) of 

 the trunk is in advance of the lower portion, the abdomen. 



In both of the bad standing positions a line extending from the toe- 

 tips, vertically upward would 

 touch the abdomen and be 

 several inches from the chest 

 (Fig. 6). In the good stand- 

 ing positions the line would 

 clear the abdomen and touch 

 the chest (Fig. 7). This line 

 test is one of the best simple 

 tests of a good poise of the 

 body. 



To change from Fig. 6 to 

 Fig. 7 one should stand as 

 alertly erect as possible, and 

 by a motion at the hip-joints 

 sway the trunk forward until 

 the chest is in line with the 

 toe-tips. The swaying motion 

 should be done easily, with- 

 out strain or tension. One 

 who is accustomed to a bad poise of the body may feel at first in assum- 

 ing this normal poise as if he or she were going to fall forward. Stanaing 

 tall, "erect under the stars," and keeping the head well up will soon over- 

 come this sensation. Note the points in favor of this position, (i) 

 The waist and abdominal muscles are firm instead of being weakly 

 relaxed. (2) The vital organs are well supported. (3) Every part of 

 the body is unrestricted, there being no cramping, crowding or sag- 

 ging of any of th-e parts. (4) The center of gravity is over the balls 

 of the feet, which is essential for light, easy walking. (5) The chest is 



Fig. 8. 



Fig. 



