80 PHYSIOLOGY. 



since a t change has been introduced into the system of edu- 

 cation for young ladies," that the spine disease, so called, has 

 become a common affection. 



32. Every one who has paid the least attention to physi- 

 ology, is aware that a certain degree of exercise is as neces- 

 sary to the growth and strength of the body, and of every 

 part of it, as nourishment itself; and that if such exercise 

 be withheld during the period of growth, the body never ac- 

 quires its due form and proportions, and often is permanently 

 crippled. How cruel it is, then, to repress that overflow of 

 life and energy, which nature has given to young creatures, 

 to prompt them to that exertion which is necessary to the 

 full development of their physical powers ; and instead of 

 allowing the young of both sexes to jump, and skip, and 

 dance, and play, as nature dictates, to curb all propensity 

 to such vulgar activity, for fear that they may not receive 

 the praise of being well-bred. How preposterous, unnatural, 

 and ruinous is the practice of confining delicate females for 

 hours together every day to sedentary employment, the sure 

 consequence of which will be, weakness of the body generally, 

 and of the back in particular, especially if the seat be a stool 

 which has no back, or even a narrow chair with a perpen- 

 dicular back. 



33. The effect of such a practice is, that in consequence 

 of the fatigue induced by such a posture, the spine gives way 

 in some part and bends, and in a little time the curvature 

 becomes permanent. And often when a bend has taken 

 place in one direction, there immediately follows an opposite 

 bend above or below, to keep the centre of gravity of the 

 body always directly over the base ; the curve accordingly 

 thus becomes double, like an italic f, and the distortion is 

 rendered complete. 



34. The means employed to remedy this affection almost 

 invariably make it worse. In the first place, strong, stiff 

 stays are put on, to support the back, as it is said ; and so. 

 they do, perhaps, while they are on ; but as they supersede 



