Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-04-05
CAUSE OF LEFT-HANDEDNEss.

The question has been much discussed
among anatomists, whether the properties
of the right hand, in comparison with those
of the left, depend on the course Of the ar
teries to it. It is affirmed that the trunk
of the artery going to the right arm passes
off from the heart, SO as to admit the blood
directly and more forcibly into the small
vessels Of the arm This is assigning a
cause which is unequal to the effect, and
presenting altogether too con6aed view of
the subject; it is participation in the com:
mon error of seeking in the machinism the
cause of phenomena which have deeper
source.
For the convenience of life, and to make
US prompt and dexterous, it is pretty evil
dent that there ought to be no hesitation
which hand is to be used, or which foot is
to be put forward; nor is there, in fact, any
snch indecision. Is this taught, or have
we this readiness given to US by nature?
1t must be observed, at the same time, that
there is distinction in the whole right side
of the body, and that the left side is not
ouly the weaker in regard to muscular
strength, but also in its vital or constitution.
al properties. The development of the or
gans of action and motion is the greatest
upon the right side, as may at any time be
ascertained by measurement, or the testi-
mony of the tailor or shoemaker; certainly,
this superiority may be said to result from
the more frequent exertion of the right
hand; but the popularity extends to the
constitution also, and diseases attack the
left extremities more frequently than the
right. > rs -..ssa
In opera dancers, we may see that the
mee.= difficult saats- Inexperienced BY the
right foot But their preparatory exercises
better evince the natural weakness of the
left limb, in order to avoid awkwardness in
the public exhibition; for if these exer.
cises be neglected, an uugraceful perform
ance will be given to the right side. In
walking behind 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 turned out as in the
right, and that greater push is made with
it. 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 exists, is more apparent in her gait. No
boy hops upon his left foot unless he be
left-handed. The horseman puts his left
foot in the stirrup and springs from the
right.
We think that we may conclude that ev-
erything being adapted, in the conveniences
of life, the left hand as, fer example, the
direction of the worm screw, or the cutting
end of the auger-is not arbitrary, but is
related to natural endowment of the body.
He who is left-handed is most sensible to
the advantages of this adaptation, from the
opening of a 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 natural provision, and is bestowed
for very obvious purpose, and the proper.
ty does not dependeon the peculiar distribu.
tion of the arteries of the arm, but the pref.
erence is given to the right foot as to the
right-hand. .' -a.-'.;.