238 MOTION AND COORDINATION 



shoulders, extend the hands as far sideward and backward as possible, 

 returning each time to the first position. As the hands move out, in- 

 hale deeply (through the nose), and as they are brought back, exhale 

 quickly (through the mouth). Repeat several times. 



3. With the arms at the sides and the feet side by side and touching, 

 bring the hands in a circular movement to a vertical position over the 

 head, and lock the thumbs. Keeping the knees straight and the thumbs 

 locked, bend forward, letting the hands touch the ground if possible, 

 and then bring the body and hands again to the vertical position. 

 Then by a backward sweeping movement, return the hands again to 

 the sides. Repeat. 



While these exercises may be practiced whenever convenient, it is 

 best to set apart some special time each day for them, as on retiring at 

 night or on rising in the morning. 



Hygienic Footwear. A necessary aid to erectness of 

 position in standing and walking is a properly fitting shoe. 

 Heels that are too high tilt the body unnaturally forward, 

 and shoes that cause any kind of discomfort in walking 

 lead to unnatural positions in order to 

 protect the feet. Shoes should fit 

 snugly, being neither too large nor 

 too small. Many shoes, however, are 



unhygienically constructed, and no 

 Fi<;. 107. Heels and , , , , 



toes of unhygienic and attem pt s houl d be made to wear them, 

 of hygienic footwear. Certainly is this true of styles that 



approach the "French heel" or the 

 "toothpick toe" (Fig. 107). However, many styles of 

 shoes are manufactured that are both hygienic and neat 

 fitting. Rubber heels, on account of their elasticity, are 

 to be preferred to those made of leather. 



The Skeleton in Childhood and Old Age. Certain pecul- 

 iarities are found to exist in the bones of children and of 

 old people which call for special care of the skeleton during 

 the first and last periods of life. The bones of children are 

 soft, lacking mineral matter, and are liable to become bent 



