PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 481 



platform about half way up upon which the Doctor stands to go through 

 his daily exercise. A shoulder bar and a quantity of leather straps and 

 bands form the harness with which the feat is performed. Under the plat- 

 form the weights are suspended. These are composed of broad iron plates 

 of a circular form, resting one upon the other, and held together by means 

 of a stout iron rod running through the centre of each. Surrounding these 

 plates are long, slim bars of iron running transversely, and made to be 

 detached or joined to the main body. They are arranged in this manner 

 so as to graduate the weight — one being added as often as is required by 

 the increasing strength of the practitioner. They are each of twenty- 

 five pounds weight. The whole body of iron suspended in this manner, 

 and which is raised daily by Dr. Wiuship, is 2,600 pounds. Dr. Winship 

 thinks he shall continue his experiment until he can raise 3,000 pounds. 

 This, he believes, is the practical limit for one of his organization and con- 

 stitution; but he is of opinion that men superior to him in these last men- 

 tioned points may be trained to raise far greater weights. 



In another corner of the room a small horseshoe magnet, suspended by 

 a cord, attracts the attention of all visitors. Curiosity centres upon this 

 trifle from the following circumstances : Dr. Winship began his experi- 

 ments by suspending an ordinary horseshoe magnet and adding a little 

 weight every day to the small piece of iron attached to the poles. The 

 sustaining power increases in precise ratio to the weight added. At first 

 it would sustain t^jlve ounces — moi-e than this would cause the iron to 

 detach. In twenty-four hours another ounce was added and sustained, and 

 this experiment was repeated daily until the magnet now sustains nearly 

 eleven pounds, the attracting power increasing much more rapidly than 

 at first. It was this magnet which first gave Dr. Winship the idea of in- 

 creasing his own,,,>ength by gradual development. He began adding 

 little by little to the weights raised, and raised the amount daily until he 

 has practically and in a wonderful manner demonstrated the truth of his 

 theory. An extensive practice now rewards him for the time and trouble 

 consumed in his researches in this direction. 



The manner in which this feat is performed, said Dr. Rich, has not the 

 merit of novelty, as even greater weights have been raised by similar 

 means. It is done by applying the principle of the toggle joint. The 

 weights are placed beneath the platform with two handles coming through 

 with shoulder straps attached, between which the operator places himself, 

 and by bending the knees outwai'd a little the body is lowered; the weights 

 are then taken hold of when the knees are gradually brought inward to a 

 straight line, which slowly raises the weights. It is said that Dr. Win- 

 ship, by practicing this system, has become a very strong man from a 

 weak one. As far as he is concerned, it may be so; but there is nothing 

 advantageous gained by developing a particular set of muscles, or by the 

 cultivation of one faculty alone. In order to insure health it is essential- 

 that all parts of the body should be properly and harmoniously developed; 

 but in order to do this it is not necessary for a man to become a second 

 Sampson by cultivating certain muscular powers to the exclusion of others 

 which should be exercised in every individual. 

 [Am. Inst.] F* 



