26 PHYSIOLOGY AND TEMPERANCE. 



not only by the ribs and the rib (intercostal) muscles, but 

 by the diaphragm, which, in contracting, extends the cavity 

 downwards. In case of the upper portion of the walls of 

 the chest not acting, as in tight lacing a habit so much 

 indulged in by the lady of the period, that the chest is 

 even smallest where it should be the largest the diaphragm 

 descends and crowds the organs low down into the pelvis. 

 Such persons are doing themselves a double injury. In the 

 first place, tight lacing is productive of small, weak lungs; 

 and secondly, the lower organs in the abdomen are so 

 pressed upon that they perform their functions with diffi- 

 culty, and are often in a constant state of congestion from 

 want of freedom in the return of the blood to the heart. 



15. The Walls of the Abdomen. The lower portion of 



the trunk is bounded above by the diaphragm, the partition 

 which separates the trunk space into two cavities : below by 

 the pelvis, behind by the spine, and in front by a muscular 

 wall. The floating ribs occupy a small portion of this space 

 at the top and on each side. The bony protection to the 

 contents of the cavity is limited in front, excepting when the 

 body is bent forward. The greater part of the front wall 

 is made up of flat tendons and mutcOes, in order that we 

 may have more freedom in bending. If the ribs extended 

 down to meet the bones below, we should be very stiff 

 and rigid in our movements. We would be obliged to sit 

 or stand, like the warriors of old when they donned their 

 steel coats of armor. 



The cavity of the abdomen contains the liver, stomach, 

 intestines, kidneys and other organs. 



16. The Upper Extremities. The arms are so placed 

 at the upper and outer part of the chest as to give them an 

 extensive sweep over the body. The arm is the member 

 above all others which contributes to man's welfare, supplies 

 the wants of his body, gives him a means of defence, and by 



