Roxey Ann Caplin

“ Every one knows that the surest way to fasten the head is to knock the handle on the ground, as the concussion drives it further in; so that if the human head were carried on a straight support, similar concussions would be caused to the brain and other vital organs, to their serious if not fatal injury. Of course extra muscular strength is required to support the increase of weight caused by those curves; and this is effected by an extra stress on the muscles of the back. ”

“ It has been frequently asserted that deformity of the spine is usually the result of disease, but this is contradicted by experience; and we do not feel disposed to concur with any fallacy simply out of deference to the authorities by whom it is promulgated or supported; for, so far from deformity being occasioned by disease, disease is ordinarily the result of deformity. ”

“ We cannot insist too often, nor too strongly, upon the necessity of early and proper exercise. To use the language of an accomplished writer: "If the days of childhood were devoted to the goddess Hygeia, and the perceptive faculties allowed to exercise themselves by observing the wonders of art and the beauties of nature, then civilization would add to all positive blessings, and a higher advantage co-existing with rude good health. ”

“ For the preservation of the erect posi­tion no less than five layers of powerful muscles are placed along the spine, many of them taking their origin from the back of the head, and being inserted into various processes of the vertebral column; and it is by their action, combined with the elasticity of the spine and its cartilages, that we are enabled to stand upright, and to perform all the varied move­ments of which the human form is capable. ”

“ The use of art is to give support where it is needed, and that the material of which it is constructed should act for the weaker muscles, and have as nearly as possible the contractibility of those organs which it is designed to assist. If the muscles are weak the support should be strong.
We have noticed the habit of standing on one leg as a frequent cause of distortion ”

“ The division between the chest and abdomen is formed by a strong muscle called the diaphragm or midriff, which is nearly circular in form, and is attached in front, under the cartilages of the breast-bone along the sides, to the cartilages of the six lower ribs, whilst at the back it is firmly fixed to the first lumbar vertebra. It occupies an oblique position in the centre of the body, rising into the thoracic cavity during expira­tion ”

“ The waving line of the column arising from a series of alternate curves in opposite direc­tions is altogether peculiar to man; it allows a proper distribution of the weight with respect to the centre of gravity, the line of which, carried through the entire trunk, must fall within the entire space covered by the feet, or by one foot when we support the body by one only. As this line passes through all the curves, motion is allowed in the upper regions without impairing the general equili­brium. ”

“ No other animal enjoys a physical conformation which will enable him to permanently assume this majestic attitude, although there are several in whom it may be maintained for a short time. The head of the human being is compara­tively heavier than the trunk, and this, added to the weight of the viscera in front, would naturally induce a stooping forward, were there no especial means provided for its prevention. ”

“ The intercostal muscles, or those between the ribs, also exert a very considerable influence in raising the ribs during inspiration, and thus increasing the size of the thoracic cavity; and if these be prevented from performing their natural functions, breathing must be carried on solely by the action of the diaphragm, as we find to be the case in almost every instance of consumption or thoracic disease. ”

“ Unhappily there are but few parents and teachers who have ever formed any definite conception of the importance of proper early training, and that simply because they never understood its importance; nor is it possible that they ever should, until they have some knowledge of the structure and functions of the body which they have to train and develope. We propose, therefore, in this chapter, to give a general idea of the structure and functions of the spine, as well as a brief description of some of the curvatures to which it is subject.
The distinctive character of man is the erect posture. ”

“ The want of this peculiar elasticity is the reason why artists have never succeeded in constructing statues which would stand without a pedestal, and such would also be the case in the human conformation were it not for the action of the muscles by which the spine is supported. ”

“ Instead of laces we employ hooks and eyes, which are placed on a straight line, and are arranged so as to be adapted to the varying size of the body, and will not remain fastened out of their place; they also keep the whole weight of the clothing equally balanced. ”

“ The poking of the head is remedied by our Patent Collar for the Neck, which fits under the chin, and supports it in its natural position. It is worn without any pressure. The elastic nature of the substance allows of perfect free motion of the neck. ”

“ When the distortion is not great, this in general cures the disease, and leaves the vital functions unimpaired.
"The second and third curvatures are those which begin in the simplest way, and if neglected, assume the most formidable character. It is gene­rally manifested on the right side, and may fre­quently be traced to the habit of lying upon and using the right members exclusively. When the deformity increases, the capacity of the chest must be diminished, and its functions impaired, and the heart, lungs, and other vital organs injured ”

“ It is worthy of remark, that the distortion of the neck is often complicated with roundness of the shoulders, in consequence of the violent contrac­tion of the pectoral muscles, which are not properly counterbalanced by the muscles of the back. ”

“ PATHOLOGICAL disquisitions form no portion of the task which we have allotted ourselves to perform; we must however speak cursorily of some things, the full description of which belongs more properly to the anatomist and surgeon, because, if we avoided the matter entirely, we should be unable to show the reasonableness of many of our adaptations, and the special cases in which they should be employed. ”

“ Instead of standing out at a considerable angle from the spine, and thus affording free scope for the action of the heart and lungs, which are the organs essential to existence, the chest falls downwards, pressing on the abdo­minal cavity, the ends of the ribs are brought into closer approximation, the sternum or chest-bone is forced inwards, and the cavity of the chest consider­ably diminished. ”

“ Of course, as the child stoops forward, the arms hang beyond the centre of gravity, the shoulders are consequently more rounded, the strain on the muscles of the back considerably increased, and if this influence were suffered to continue, a permanent deformity would be the necessary result. ”

“ Shakspeare says that a soft voice is "an excellent thing in woman;" and with that opinion most of our readers will cordially concur. But a sweet, sonorous, and delightful voice can never proceed from a contracted chest and a cramped larynx ”

“ Besides this, it must be borne in mind that our labours are confined to ladies and children, and that even with them we never pretend to take the place of the medical adviser. Medicine is not our vocation ”

“ Of course, as the diaphragm descends the capacity of the chest becomes enlarged to a considerable extent, while at the same time the abdomen is pushed outwards to make room for the inflation of the lungs. ”

“ It must also be remarked that acute diseases are detected by immediate symptoms, the first of which is pain—a child never losing its appetite and be­ing dull without some organic disease or eruptive fever making its appearance in a few days ”

“ Should the deviation have become serious, we introduce by various means different contrivances into the bodice, which invisibly support the failing side; the support being supplied without the injurious aid of springs or any unsightly mechanism. ”

“ Another thing which we have secured in this bodice is, that it shall always fit. In the ordinary fastening, in the hurry of dressing, or through the carelessness of the servant, it is often drawn un­evenly together ”