23 



merely by liberating the body from all constraint of stays or moni- 

 tors, and permitting as much exercise to be taken as could be 

 borne without fatigue. 



Balancing any object, however light, on the head, has great 

 efficacy in rectifying the shape of the spine. It is also readily 

 adopted, as a pastime, by young people. In some instances of 

 spinal curvature, where there was not a softened state of the 

 bones, I have tried, with the best effecLs, exerting the nmscles 

 of the back, by the carriage of a bag of sand on the head ; 

 employing at first short periods of time for the exercise; and 

 allowing rest in the intervals, in the recumbent posture ; and as 

 the strength encreased, repeating the exertion more frequently, 

 and continuing it longer. 



I have every reason to believe, that this treatment, if employed 

 with proper caution, will be always useful in cases of curvature 

 from weakness ; and, if practised with assiduity, during early 

 yo\ith, I am persuaded would be the best means of preventing 

 distortion. 



The means, which are most beneficial, where merely the shoul- 

 ders are round and prominent, are skipping with a rope, and the 

 use of the dumb bells ; particularly in the action of carrying them 

 backwards, which exerts the flat muscles, that lie between the 

 shoulder blades and the spine. 



I shall conclude by observing that, in all cases where a cur- 

 vature of the spine, from a softened state of the bones, is appre- 

 hended or has taken place, every endeavour must be made to 

 improve the health and strength, by a purer air, tonic medi- 

 cines, and the cold bath ; without which, machinery and rest 

 will be useless, and exercise hurtful. 



