314 PHYSIOLOGY AND HEALTH. 



by carrying one in each hand, brings the centre of weight 

 over the point of support, with his spine perfectly erect. 



723. Upon the same principle of carrying the centre of 

 gravity over the centre of support, every one should carry his 

 head erect and his back-bone straight. It is not necessary 

 for this to obliterate the natural curves of the spine, but 

 to carry its line of support vertical from its base to the top. 

 This will bring the head directly over the lower end of 

 the spine. In this attitude, the weight of the head, trunk, 

 and whatever burdens are borne, resting upon the bones, 

 very little muscular action is required ; and the bones of the 

 lower limbs, and the general course of the spine, are in the 

 same line. When these bones are in this upright direction, 

 and the upper balanced upon the lower, it requires but little 

 muscular exertion to hold them in their places. But if the 

 lower bones are turned, or the spine is bent to either side, 

 it requires a constant exertion of the muscles on the convex 

 side of the joint or the spine to prevent it from bending 

 farther. Whatever muscular strength is expended in main- 

 taining the attitude, cannot be devoted to any other purpose. 



724, This attitude, is not only the easiest, but the most 

 graceful. Stooping the body, or bending the head forward, 

 when walking or standing, interferes with the elegant flexi- 

 bility of the spine, and is awkward and uncomfortable to the 

 person. Among those who carry burdens upon their heads 

 we find the most frequent instances of graceful attitude and 

 gait. Captain Ball, in his " Seven Years in Spain," says, 

 " It is wonderful to see the amazing burdens that the Spanish 

 women carry on their heads, and walk at so rapid and safe a 

 pace without the least accident. It is remarkable that the 

 female peasantry in Spain have a more graceful and comely 

 style of walking than the ladies, which I have repeatedly 

 heard accounted for by the burdens that they carry on their 

 heads requiring a certain degree of steadiness to balance." 



