The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1860-01-26
Cause of Lett-Handedness.

The question has been much discussed among
anntomists whether the properties of the right
hand, in comparison with those of the left, de-
pend on the course of the arteries to.t II is af.
firmed th2t the trunk Of the artery going to the
right arm passes of from the heart so as to nd-
NIT the-blood directly and more forcibly in
to the small vcss.ds of the arm. This Is assign
ing cause which is:unequal to The effect and
presenting altogether too confined n view Of the
subject; it is participation in the common error
of seeking in the mechanism the cause of phe.
nomena which have a deeper source
For the convenience of life, aud to make us
prompt and dexterous. it is pretty evident that
there ought to be no hesitation which hand Is to
be used, or which foot is to he put forward; nor
is there, in fact. any such inJecision. Is this
taught. or have this readiness given to us by
naturei 1t must be Observed ut the same time
that there is distinction in the whole right side
OF the body, and that the left side is not only the
weaker III regard to muscular strength, but also
IN its vital or constitutional properties The
development of the organs of action and motion
is greatest upon The right side, as may ut any time
be ascertained by measurement, or the testimony
Of the tailor or shoemaker; certainly, this suppe.
riority may be said to result from the more fire.
quent exertion Of the right-hand but the pecu
harity extends to the constitution also. and
diseases attack the left extremies m ore FREQUENT
ly than the right. ....
In opera-dnncers, we may ace that the most diff.
fcult .feats are performed by the right foot But
their preparatory exercises better evnce the nat.
urel weakness OF the left limb, in order to avoid
awkwardncss in the public exhibition for If these
exercises be neglected, an nmgraceful performance
will be given TO tho right side. In walking be-
hind a person, it is very seldom that we see an
equalized motion of the body; and if we look to
the left foot, we shall find that the tread is not
so firm upon it, that the toe is not so much turn
ed out as in the right, and that greater push is
made with il, From the peculiar form Of woman
and the elasticity of her step, resulting more
from the motion of the ankle than of the
launches, the defect Of the left foot when it ex
lists. is more apparent ia her gait No boy hops
upon his left foot unless he be eft.hauded The
horsemun puts his left foot in the stirrup, and
springs from the right
think we may conclude that eve cry thing be-
ing adapted, in tho noes OF life, the left
hand--ns, for example, the direction Of the worm
screw, or Of the cutting end of the auger--is not
arbitrary but is related to n natural endowment
OF the body. He who is left-handcd Is most
sensible to the advantages of this adaptation from
the opening of parlor door to the opening of a
penknife. On the whole, the preferences Of the
right hand is not the effect Of habit but is a nat
ural provision, and is bestowed for very obvious
purpose. and the property does not depend on the
peculiar distribution of the arteries of the arm.
but the preference is given to the right foot as
to the right hand.
70" lSir Charles Bells Bridyc,cater 7reatisr.