The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-07
UOMLN'S PHYSIQUE.
Correct Proportions ind How to Maintain
Them.

In a recent lecture ut the Academy OF Ma
tional Sciences OF Philadelphia. Prof. A.. Is.
Brubaker, discussing tae subject OF Physical
Development" said:
prof. Gottfried Schadow OF the Royal Acad-
emy Of Arts. In Berlin. has given TO the world.
In his figure Of an artistIcally formed woman.
the following measurements. Height, 0aH
inches: breadth Of reck. 3Ai inches: shoulders,
IL inches; whist. o inches; hips, 13is inches.
Long before Prof. Schaiow's time an un-
known artist created the statue. the Venus de
Mcdlci. the worlds ideal OF perfection In tho
female figure. on these measurements: Height,
~ inches; breadth of neck. ! inches; shoulders.
10 inches; waist. Ole inches; hips. ~ inches.
prof. Sergeant. with several thousand tabu-
lated life measurements in hand. produaced
composite figure ot this young American girl
with these measurements: Height. Ga inches:
breadth Of neck. - inches: girth ~ neck. l".l
inches: brradth OF. shoulders. l4.7 inches;
breadth OF waist, 80 inches; gIrth Of waist, aI.u
inches: breadth Of hips. 1871 inches; girth OF
hip. a54 inches; girth OF, calf, 1913 Inches:
Dirih of upper arm, l0,l inches: girth Of thigh,
2l.4 inches. aud forearm. % inches.
- Miss Anna Wood las gwen measurements
closely similar To- those Of Prot. Sergeant. In her
composite figure Of the Wellesley College girl.
being averaged from the measurements OF over
1000 young women.
Given the height. proportion, and weight OF
an average phy sigue for the man aud woman,
what should he the attitude or posture of such
an Individual. especially when standing Z by
posture IL meant 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 posture the
following conditions must be realized: ~ The
CORES uunding halves OF the body must be In the
same anatomical relation: - the centre OF
gravity Of the whole body must fall Just in front
of the last lumbar Vertebra. That the first OF
these two conditions may be realized there must
be n well-deyelopCd aud symmetrical skeleton
and ~ corresponding symmetrical development
u the muscles on the two SIDES OF the body.
Tint the second condition NAV be realized,
there must be such u development of the eNten-
sor muscles ON the back Of the body a. will be
sufficient TO anihgontIe the leNur muscles on
the front of the body.
These conditions are not always realized.
ana hence certain physical defects are observa-
be, such a. u~h..uuity OF the head. elevation or
depression NJ the shoulder, curvature Of the
spine, and 81 forth.
Among the defects which interfere with
proper stature and proportions may be men
ti0ned.knuck knees. bowlegs, and pigeon toes.
KNOCK knees occur IN childhood or at pu-
hcrty. and are generally associated with ricketts,
an due 10 a want - muscular or bonv strength.
uNNlng to the width of. the pelvi>, the thigh
direction OF the detornIity. There Is n disprn-
portion between the weight of the body and the
inner condylc OF the thigh bone grows down
and inward. and throws the lower leg outward
Bnwlrgs are also associated with ricketts, and
want OF strength ia muscles and bones. In this
condition the natural curve o: the bones Is ex-
aeeerated aud the leg bends outward,
Pigeon toes are n term applied to the inward
direction OF the foot dependent on insufficient
development of the muscles which should turn
the foot outward. Tins 9, a condition observed
Ia monkeys ana very young chiidr.n.
I'm addition 10 the above mentioned deformi.
ties relating to the trunk ANA limbs. there are
others found IN buth men and women. especially
in tho Inter. however, which relate to change,
in Tie shape Of the thoraS, caused by undue
compression or construction.
"lt 4, d iilcull 10 understand why this con
~str.ction should have been INDUCED in through
the ages. There &. an idea, however, that II con
fer- un the ind lviduNI an artistic effect. The
trc"k woman of The deCndcnt period suggested
the Romans AZ the hrGinu ~: OF the empire
During tie middle ages It died out, to be re
viyc! IN The twelfth century,