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bod)', which are rarely put into full action. In animals we have 

 examples of muscles, Avhich are only intended to be employed 

 on particular occasions, that may never occur. Such muscles 

 do not decline from disuse ; whilst those, that are pro^■ided for 

 constant employment, cannot remain at rest without sustaining a 

 great diminution of their bulk and power. 



Now if we apply the preceding principles to the muscles at- 

 tached to the spinal column, the injurious effects of exhausting 

 their strength, by attempting to maintain any one permanent 

 attitude of the body ; of restraining their ever varying motions ; 

 or of substituting for their natural support to the bones of the 

 spine, the artificial one of stays, must be sufficiently ob- 

 vious. 



Experience appears to accord exactly with theory on this 

 subject. We find, that those distortions of the back, which are 

 in a degree almost universal amongst women of the better ranks 

 of life, rarely occur in the other sex, who do not employ an ex- 

 ternal support to the spine ; that they are equally rare in females, 

 who have never worn stays ; and that those women, who have 

 been early accustomed to carry burthens on the head, are quite 

 remarkable for the straightness of the spine, and correctness of 

 tiie form of the shoulders. 



I. might add, that the neck, of which the motions are uncon- 

 strained by modes of dress, is scarcely ever distorted ; although 

 the weight of the head is chiefly borne by this portion of the 

 spine. 



As far as I have had the means of judging, or of collecting- 

 information from others, these remarks are equally applicable to 

 the inhabitants of other coimtries as to those of Ireland. 



