The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1885-12-19
PEOPLE.
Some of the Advantages and Disadvant-
ages Under Which They Labor.

ages Under Nnich lhey Labor.
"The majority of people are right
handed because they are trained to be
so.n
This was the reply Of a doctor to a
reporter who Intercepted him on the
subject yesterday.
Several theories have been advanced
why people are generally right
handed" continued the physician,
but with what reason scientists have
never taken the trouble to demonstrate.
Perhaps that which would come near
est the truth, if any law of nature were
found to govern deXterity, would be
that the heart, being placed on the left
side, the right side should be
used with greater freedom. An
other theory is that the brain
is weighter on the right side than the
left. Whatever the cause may be, |
find that those who in youth have
trained themselves to using the left
hand experience no difficulty or incon-
venicnce. When a child is ,inistrous-
ly' inclined and takes to using the left
hand by such natural inclination, it is
not because of any malformation or dis
placement of the heart or brain. Con-
s%equently am led to the belief that it is
all a matter of training
Several other physicians who were
spoken to on the subject gave the same
opinion. Inquiry of a number of
left-handcd people confirmed the state
ment that no inconvenience resulted
from the use of the left hand. but on
the contrary they find it a positive adj
vantage, inasmuch as that in numerous
instances they become ambidextrous.
Persons who have much writing to
do are liable to ''pen paralysis" or
"writer> cramp,' lasting sometimes
for weeks. Ordinarily, after several
hours constant writing, the arm is
very much fatigued. When a person
can write with both hands he can rest
one,a and if by accident he should be
deprived OF temporary or permanent
use of the hand he is accustomed to
use he will be able to fall back" on
the other. In telcgraphy likewise,
where an operator HIS to transmit or
receive long messages, he is subject to
photographers cramp,' which is some
times similar to writers cramp." The
work is laborious and fatiguing, but
when the operator can use both hands
he can not only save himself much IA
tigue, but facilitate the work.
Some tradesmen who are left-handcd
can command better wages than right
handed men of equal ability. This is
shown in the case of 4 bOiler-rivetcr,
who, if left-handed, can work inside Il
boiler without the awkwardness of n
~right-handed man and do superior
work. An engravcr who uses both
hands can always command a position.
Smiths, carpenters and other artisans
also derive much advantage from the
use of both hands, and none who hap
pen to be lcft-handed experience any
inconvenience. Apcr>on who operates
a typewriter finds it necessary to use
both hands, and has to train himself 10
it when learning the instrument.
Many tools are made which are in
tended to be used with the right hand
only, and can only be operated with
great awkwardness with the left hand.
This is said to also contribute toward
making a majority of people right
handed. Notwithstanding all that can
be said in favor of the education of the
left hand, there is q powerfu, prejudice
against it. and l~eft-handed people are
spoken of contcmptuousIy.
In the Western States a lrtt-handed
mar is usually said to be- south
paved" In England the nick name is
kit" and in Ireland it is used as a
distinctive a%ppellation for the idontiti-
cation of particular persons. a> shawn
ma Kithoguc'-Left-Handcd john
Ph7rFf2Dhin NCU,S.