The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-21

81 inches girth OF calf. 1873 inches.
girth OF upper arm. I01 inches, grin or
thigh. A.4 inches. and forearm 90 inches.
Miss Anna Wood has given measure
ments closely similar TO those OF Profes-
sor Sergeant in her composite nguro or
the Wellesley College girl. being averaged
from the measur ements Of over 200 young
women.
Given the height proportion. and
weight OF an average physique far the
man ana woman, what should be the at
titudt. OF posture of such ala individual.
especially when standing BY posture is
meant "A position of equilibrium Of the
body which can be maintained for some
time such as standing, sitting. or lying.
For the maintenance OF the erect pos
ture the following conditions must be
realized: ]. The corresponding halves Of
the body must be IN the same anatomical
relation; 90 the centre OF gravity OF tho
whole body must fan just in front OF the
last lumbar vertebra. That the first Of
these two conditions may be realized there
must be a wel-developod and symmetri-
cal skeleton and corresponding sym
metrical development OF the muscles on
the two sides Of the body That the sec
ond condition may be realized. there must
be such a development OF tho eXtensor
muscles on the back Of the body as will
be sufficient 20 antagonize the fiexor mus
cles on the front of the body.
"These conditions are not always real
/ tied, and hence certain physical defects
! are observable such as ObliQuity of the
! head elevation or depression OF the
shoulder curvature of the spine. and
so forth.
Among the defects which interfere
with proper stature and proportions may
be mentioned knock knees. bOwlegs. and
pigeOn-tOes.
"Knock-knees occur in childhood or at
puberty. and are generally associated
with ricketts, and due to a want Of mus
cular or bony strength Owing 10 the
width OF the pelvis. the thigh bones are
inclined inward This determines the di-
rection Of the deformity. There is "a
dispropOrtion between the weight OF the
body and the strength OF the muscles
I'm consequence the inner condyle of the
thigh bone grows down and inward. and
throws the lower leg outward.
"Bowlegs are also associated with rick
cts and want Of strength I'm muscles and
bones. In this condition the natural curve
of the bones is exaggerated and the leg
bends outward
pigeon toes are term applied 10 the
inward direction OF the foot dependent ON
insufficient development OF the muscles
which should turn the foot outward This
IS a condition observed I'm monkeys and
very young children.
"In addition to tie above mentioned
deformities relating 10 the trunk and
limbs. there are others found i'm both men
and women. especially in tho latter how
over. which relate to changes in the
shape or the thorax. caused by undue
compression or construction.
1T is difficult 10 understand why this
construction should have been INDUCED I'm
through the ages. There is an idea how
ever. that II cOnfers on the individual
an artistic effect The Greek woman Of
the decadent period suggested the methods
and objects Ii was adopted by the Ro-
mans at the beginning Of the empire.
During the middle ages IL died.out. TO
Doe revived In the twelfth century. New
York Sun.