The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-10-30

TTl OFFS will have to change theil
 sentiments about women if tho fair sex continue to prove
 themselves a hardy lot, willing and able to cope with the big things of life. The wave of preparedness which has swept the country is making all women more or less anxious to get a training along all lines which will prove helpful in time of trouble or of peace. There are many wome4 uofit for the various tasks because they ! have not strengthened their muscles Therefore it is quite essential that ev- cry woman should go in for systematic training. Until the muscles are suff- ciently strong they can not be expect ed to stand pressure and strain.
 In the home the woman has many duties which call for muscular strength. Very few women realize there is right and ! wrong way to do these things. Evidence of this was made plain when, the women of Eng land started to take on the work which the men who went off to war left be- hind. For instance, the women who became delivery girls were all prompt 1y taught that the easiest way to carry Q weight is on the head, provided the muscles of the neck and shoulders are strong. This method of carrying will also,do much to improve the carriage. At first it may seem rather difficult to carry things in this manner, but it is quite important that you persevere. The method of carrying the burden on the arm and hip is very bad, for il is < apt to cause very marked curvature of the spine. Carrying it directly in front, pulling the body forward, is in- furious also and causes the carrier to expend a great deal of muscular and nervous energy on a minimum of use ful result. Consequently the carrier will soon grow very tired and will be unable to continue.
 If one is not able to carry burden directly on the llend, the next best thing Is to carry 1t above, as shown in the picture. The housewife often has occasion to move furniture from one room t6 another. The work might as well be done in . scientific way. The upright position of the arms will do much to correct round shoulders, to expand the lungs and generally de- velCp an erect and graceful carriage. Of course, common sense must be brought into play here as well as in lanything else. No heavy pieces of fur niture should be lifted in such manner. If the shoulder and N1eck muscles are not strong enough to bear the burden they should be developed. A very splen- did exercise which, will serve this pur- pose is to walk around the room with the arms held down at the sides of the body The chest should be thrown out and the head held back as far as pos sible. This will not only expand the chest, but it will correct improper breathing methods, strengthen the lungs and produce a brisk circulation of blood through the muscles, thus get ting them in good trim to withstand any strain put on them. r..
 When heavier piece of furniture or cumbersome box is to be moved the thing should be rolled either op casters or on it's end. Iftherc is any great need to lift the heavy object you should let the strain fall on the shoui- der muscles. Unless you can prevent strain of internal organs you shoulc not attempt the lifting. The gymna- sium lessons given in lift'nS are really SO practical that every wo-Aan should try to avail herself of them if there is any possible way to do so.
 At some tir1e or other every woman has occasion to lift something from a high point. It is quite usual to see a woman stand on one foot and reach for the object This is all wrong. If the ob- ject is out of reach a chair or stool can be used. Then If the object sought is large, both hands should be used to lift it down. Girls and women should never strain themselves when reaching down weights from height by undue stretching upward of the arms and trunk The trouble is done when the burden is being taken down, internal stresses and strains being caused to various organs. While cleaning win do@s women are very apt to stretch to) far to reach certain point on the glass. Instead of doing this the sash should be lowered. If the windows are not fitted with pulleys, they should be removed from the franc.
 When one has occasion to lift shall low but heavy box from the floor one should get the body into proper posi- ton before attempting to touch the box. By getting the feet firmly planted far apart on the ground you have a better base and consequently better balance. It's the same principle as standing with the feet firmly planted far apart when riding in trolley car Now then. when actually lifting the heavy burden, let the strain come on the shoulder muscles.
 The principle of leverage can be suc- ccssfully applied when moving large, cumbersome articles. A crowbar or "a heavy pole can be uscd for the pur- pose.
 The muscles of the trunk and legs should be very well strengthened in orr der to do the heavy work. There are numerous exercises to be practiced with this end in vie=. A very oenefi- cial one is to lie on the back, with the hands folded beneath the head. Then raise the right leg slowly until it forms right -n-gle with the body. Next practice with the left leg. Now prac- ticc with both legs. As you slowly draw the legs into such a position you will feel the action on the muscles. The movements will strengthen the ob- dnninai S1 we'll as the leg muscles.