New-York tribune., 1901-01-23

Some medical authorities paying anxious at
tention 10 the French figure" which II is
the aim OF the average woman TO acquire These
physicians regard the pose OF the body demanded
by Il hUrtful and ungracsful because abnormal.
When one is standing properly the feet are at an
angle OF forty-hve degrees. the heels about two
inches apart. The knees are straight and the
trunk IS erect, the chest thrown upward and for
ward. the head erect with chin drawn IN the
shoulders level, and the muscles are unconscious
OF tension.
But il IS not only the new fashion IN "ngure''
that incurs the enmity OF the physicians They
are beginning 20 assaH the time honored custom
Of walking with turned toes insisting that the
straight forward tees OF the Indian gait are
more healthf1l and graceful. They assert that the
walk with toes pointed outward is largely respon-
sible for the prevalence OF fat feet The ball OF
the foot should touch the ground hrst not the
heel, and the knee should bend slightly as the
foot swings forward. and the spine should be
mobile not tense It is both natural and grace
ful TO allow the arms to swing very little.
one physician says: The so-called French figure
violates every principle Of correct walking and
standing. because the toes are turned outward
the knees held stifiy and the heels come down
first, the whole weight OF the body being sup
ported by the heel until the other foot IS
tended The arms held stiffly at the waist. the
spine is rigid, the hips oscillate every step and
the shoulders move backward and forward"
That women are beginning to recognize the ne
cessity for a more harmonious physical develop
ment IS shown by the constantly increasing NUM-
Der OF classes in gymnastics and other forms Of
physical culture The agitation for such culture
for women began practically with a Swede-Dr.
Ling-and his progressive system Of exercises
based on correct physiological principles. is the
foundation OF most systems now in use
Some Of the Ling exercises demand apparatus,
but there is a number of free exercises that
may be performed n ones room WITH advantage,
DO class work without teacher when there is none
The ideal gyunastic costume consists OF bloom
and jacket Of thin material. with absolutely
no tight bands o. belts. A bathing shoe is not
bad substitute for the real gymnasium shoe, which
must be thin. flexible, wide and heelless
The following exercises are recommended for
home use, and when several meet for such practice
they take turns in reading the directions aloud;
Bend the arms with nnger tips touching the
shoulders Raise the elbows level with the shoul-
ing the movement All inhalations during eXer-
halations through the mouth. This movement Is
left 10 the front to TIL. tight Repeat ten
times and be careful 10 keep neck muscles hrm
stand With hands on. hips in line with arms,
thumbs turned backward. Rise slowly on the toes
which should be at angle Of 45 degrees. and
remain while counting hve slowly, then sink
stand with knees at an angle Of 80 degrees. and.
keeping hips, firm bend the ooqy forward with
Lie on the floor with hands clas2ed under the
head Keep the neck firm. Extend the foot in
straight line with the leg and lift one leg slowly
keeping knees rigid, to an angle of IS degrees
tepetftion Repeat movement with other leg.
stand with feet at angle Of - degrees; heels two
line Of angle touching hG9T Tith ball Of foot and
bending 6g 6nee oSnng with bau Bsck 10 nosiiion
Move foot backward, in line OF angle. Back 70 po-
sition Move back 70 line Of heels. Repeat with
mical The step is twice the length Of the foot.
walking and carriage: and tend to produce proper
dsys9Pe2 Of PGs o 6 ae 9sy be5 ih91G oI be Sa2
Gus exercises can be undertaken