THE MUSCLES. 45 



Occasionally, instead of having a long tendon, the muscle 

 itself is long. The tailor muscle, as it is sometimes called, 

 extends from the upper part of the hip bone to the inner 

 surface of the knee. This is the longest muscle in the body. 



7. Care of Muscles. At all periods of life the well- 

 being of the muscular system is most important. To secure 

 healthy development of muscles the body generally should 

 be in a state of health. The blood supplied to the muscles 

 must possess the properties necessary for growth and repair, 

 and the products of wear and tear must be promptly removed. 

 Close attention should, therefore, be given to food and drink. 

 Equally important are pure air and proper exercise. When 

 the athlete is under a course of training, strict dietary rules 

 are observed, and temperance in both food and drink is 

 practised. Perhaps no better argument to show that alco- 

 holic drinks are injurious is afforded, than the fact that 

 persons training for contests of muscular strength absolutely 

 abstain from all such beverages. 



Without exercise the muscle will not only cease to develop, 

 but it will degenerate, and finally nearly all its elements will 

 be absorbed. We see this waste of muscle, and consequent 

 loss of strength, in an arm that has been carried for weeks in 

 a sling, owing to a fracture of one of the bones. This change 

 is even more marked in a paralyzed limb, where power over 

 the muscle is absolutely lost. For a time the muscle retains 

 its natural size and condition. Gradually, however, it under- 

 goes changes, and in time it wastes away, until the limb is 

 almost "skin and bone." 



The incessant action of the little child while awake is 

 intended to promote the development of muscle. By this 

 constant movement of its limbs it acquires the power to 

 carry objects to its mouth, and then to croop, and finally to 

 walk. The child should be dressed -with a view to the great- 

 est freedom of motion, and every opportunity afforded for 



