Besides the longitudinal muscles which are chiefly employed ii» 

 erecting the spine, tlie flat muscles, which execute the rotatory mo- 

 tions of the shoulder-blade, are often not fully developed, from 

 want of being exerted ; the consequence of which is, that the 

 weight of the upper extremity constantly tends to bring it down- 

 wards and forwards, producing too great a roundness of the 

 shoulders, and a projection or constant elevation from the ribs 

 of the posterior edge of the shoulder-blade. 



If it came within the scope of this Paper, I could shew many 

 evil effects, on the shape of the whole female bust, from exter- 

 nal constraint. It is sufficient to state at present, that I have 

 found those women, and only those, who never wore any other 

 than loose vestments, to possess the form and proportions which 

 are displayed in the most beautiful of the antique statues. 



In seeking a remedy for distortions of the spine, it is not un- 

 natural to place great reliance on different kinds of machinery. 

 The operation of bandages and of artificial supports would ap- 

 pear at first to be very obvious and intelligible. The application, 

 however, of mechanic force or pressure to the living body, with 

 the view of rectifying deformities, requires the greatest care, dis- 

 cretion, and knowledge of the vital properties of the different 

 tissues engaged. It is too often entrusted to the judgment of me- 

 chanics, who construct and sell surgical apparatus, and thereby 

 gain a certain degree of experience, undirected by any princi- 

 ples : a species of knowledge, which is always dangerous in those, 

 who have to manage the various and complicated powers of the 

 living system. 



It would be departing from the plan of this Paper, to enter 

 into the merits or faults of various mechanical contrivances, which 



