30 PHYSICAL TRAINING 



A few other points can be observed. Ask the 

 child to extend his arms straight out before him. 

 The four illustrations show characteristic positions 

 which may be taken by the hands. The first 

 shows a normal healthy condition, the hands 

 being held straight out, strongly, but not with 

 unnecessary vigor. The second shows a nervous 

 type of hand. In such a case an excessive 

 amount of nervous energy is called into action, 

 and also into very easy, simple movements. In 

 this case the abnormal tension distorts the hand 

 as shown. The third type indicates that a nor- 

 mal amount of energy is lacking. This is shown 

 by the drooping of the thumbs. If the child is 

 actually tired, the thumbs will droop anyway, but 

 if the child has no reason for being tired — phys- 

 ically or mentally — then the drooping of the 

 thumbs is to be noticed, though the indication is 

 not so important as that shown in the fourth 

 illustration. Here the whole hand droops as 

 though it were utterly lacking in energy. For a 

 child physically or even mentally tired, such a 

 position might not be made a matter for atten- 

 tion; but when there should be no signs of fatigue, 

 then it should be noted as an important indica- 

 tion. 



Some of these conditions concerning a child's 

 hands may be not so important in themselves as 

 adjuncts in building up a general impression of 



