The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-02-03
VOLUME yII.---N0.ao:
CAUSES OF LEFT-HANDEDHEss.

SnooGS Of LEX
The question has been much discussed
among nnatom'sts, whether the properties Of
the right hand. in comparison with those
Of the left. dc pend on the course Of the
arteries to it. 1t is affirmed that the trunk
of the artery going TO the right arm passes
off tiom the heart, so AS to admit the blocd
directly and more f,rchly i: to the small
vessels Of the arm. This is assigning Il
cause which is unequal to the effect, and
presenting altogether too confined view Of
the subject; it is participation in the COM
mon error Of seeking in the mechan ism tie
cause of phenomena which have deeper
source.
For the convenience Of life, and to make
us proml and deAterous, it is pretty evident
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 such
ndeci>ion. Is this taught. or have we this
readiness given to Us by naurea 1t must
be Observed, at the same time, that there is
a distinction in the whole right of the body
anl that the left side is not only the weaker
in regard to muscular strength, but a!so in
its vital or constitutional properties... The
development Of the organs Of .actions and
motion is greatest upon the right silea}as
may a; any lime be ascertained bymeasure-
ment, or the testimony Of the tailor Or
shoemaker; certainly, this superiority may
be said to result from the more frequent
exertion Of the right hand; but the pc.
culiarty extends to the constitution also,
and diseases attacks the right exlremities
more frequently than the right.
In opera-dancers, we n,ay see that the
most difficult feats are performed 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 exercises
be neglected, MI ungraceful performance
will be given to the right side. In walking
behind 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 50 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
1t exists, is more apparent in her gait. No
boy hops upon his left foot unless he be
left handed. The horse,nan puts his left
foot in the strip, and springs from the
fight.
We think that we may conclude that
every thing beng adapted. in the con-
venienoes Of life, to the left hand d-asTfor
example the direction of the worm screw,
or Of the cutting end Of The auger-is not
arbitrary, but is related to a natural endow-
ment of the body. He who is left-handed
j. MOST sensible to the advantages Of this
adaptation, from the, opening of parlor
door to the opening of penknife. On
the whole, tho preferences Of theEF right
hand is not the effect OF habit. but is a
natural 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 tl,s right ,foot,as we'll "a TO- the
right hand.-Sis Chs. Bells Bridgewater
aseat'ss,