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Woman's home book of health. A work for mothers and for families ...

John Stainback Wilson · 1860 · Scanned text

95,124 words · about 6 h 40 min to read

Period artwork: Interior of the Bodleian Library, 1845
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Licence: PD · Library of Congress states the book is in the public domain and free to use and reuse (https://data.labs.loc.gov/digitized-books/README.html); published 1860, author long deceased · Library of Congress, Selected Digitized Books (https://www.loc.gov/item/08001283); text via the Common Pile (CC BY 4.0 compilation, per-document rights preserved)

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About this book

Author
John Stainback Wilson
Language
English
Published
1860
Length
95,124 words · about 6 h 40 min
Sections
38 reader sections
Text
Scanned text, read from page scans by OCR; may contain errors
Rights
Public domain

 

Contents (38)
  1. Front matter under 1 min
  2. Preface about 7 min
  3. Chapter I. Anatomy Of The Human Body about 1 min
  4. Chapter II. — The Functions Of The Body — Physiology about 1 min
  5. Chapter III. — Description Of The Sexual Organs Of Woman under 1 min
  6. Chapter IV. Offices Of The Sexual Organs — Physiology under 1 min
  7. Chapter I. — Various Matters under 1 min
  8. Chapter II. Of Air about 1 min
  9. Chapter IV. — Of Drinks about 1 min
  10. Chapter V. — Of Diet about 2 min
  11. CHAPTER VII. — OF EXERCISE. Necessary consequences of neglect — How girls are raised under 1 min
  12. Chapter VIII. — Of Sleep under 1 min
  13. Chapter IX. — Of Dress under 1 min
  14. Chapter X. — Of Bathing under 1 min
  15. Chapter XII. Mental Hygiene under 1 min
  16. Chapter I. — Of Disease In General under 1 min
  17. Chapter II. Diseases Of External Genitals under 1 min
  18. Chapter III. Functional Disorders Of The Vagina And Womb under 1 min
  19. Chapter V. — Organic Diseases Of The Womb under 1 min
  20. Chapter VI — Symptoms And Hygiene Of Pregnancy under 1 min
  21. Chapter VII. — Diseases Op Pregnancy about 1 min
  22. Chapter IV. Management Of Natural Labor under 1 min
  23. Part First. A Bkief Description Of The Stkuctuke And Functions Of The Human Body under 1 min
  24. Chapter I. Anatomy Of The Human Body about 36 min
  25. Chapter III. Description Of The Sexual Organs Of Woman about 14 min
  26. Chapter I. Various Matters about 7 min
  27. Chapter II. Of Aik about 22 min
  28. Chapter III. Of Light about 2 h 6 min
  29. Part Third. Diseases Peculiar To "women under 1 min
  30. Chapter I. Of Disease In General about 21 min
  31. Chapter III. Functional Disorders Of The Vagina And Womb about 26 min
  32. Chapter IV. Hygiene Of Menstruation about 3 min
  33. Chapter V. Organic Diseases Of The Womb about 24 min
  34. Chapter VI. Symptoms And Hygiene Of Pregnancy about 12 min
  35. Chapter VII, Diseases Of Pregnancy about 30 min
  36. Part Fourth. Midwifery And Diseases Of Child-bed under 1 min
  37. Chapter I. Of The Child In The Womb about 54 min
  38. Index about 9 min

Continue:

Front matter

WOMAN'S

HOME BOOK OF HEALTH. % Morft

FOR MOTHERS AND FOR FAMILIES.

Preface

Nature and Objects of the Work. — This book differs widely from the Private Medical Companions, the Mother's Guides, the Woman's Friends, and such like, which have been so freely scattered over the country of late years, with a view of coining guilty gain from some worthless nostrum, or some equally worthless and demoralizing secret. We would not make any invidious comparisons ; but truth, and the cause of sound morals, constrain us to say that the main object of many medical books for the people is to cater to a corrupt taste, and to minister to a prurient curiosity, and thus to secure a large sale. This crying evil, this almost unpardonable wickedness, we have religiously endeavored to avoid. The delicate subjects necessarily embraced in a work of this kind are treated with

the utmost regard for decency and propriety, while

(iii)

IV PEEFACE.

all useless and non-essential revelations are excluded.

The work is intended specially for women, and is divided into four parts. Part I. contains a brief outline of the Structure and Functions of the human body in general ; and more particularly the Sexual Anatomy and Physiology of Woman. Anatomy and Physiology are the corner-stones of all medical science ; and without, at least, some general knowledge of these, symptoms cannot be understood ; directions for the preservation of health cannot be comprehended, or appreciated ; and no rational system of treatment can be instituted. What would be thought of a woman who should attempt to repair her piano, without knowing anything of its mechanism? Yet, still more absurd is the attempt to pursue anything like a rational, safe, and efficient course of medical treatment, without some knowledge of that most wonderful and complex of all machines — the human system. Without the knowledge we are advocating, the practice of medicine is a blind experiment ; and if the remedies used are powerful, there is just about as much probability of doing harm as good — of killing as curing.

Part II. is devoted to Hygiene, or the Preservation of Health. This constitutes a prominent

PKEFACE. V

feature of the succeeding pages : the Laws of Health are explained and enforced, and the great truth is inculcated, that prevention is better than cure — that disease is a natural consequence of violated physiological laws, and therefore avoidable by obedience to those laws; and that this obedience is a moral obligation — one of the first great duties of life. This part, while it is intended more especially for women, contains some things that might be profitably read by all.

Part III. embraces the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of the Principal Diseases of Women.

In writing this, we have not expected, or attempted, to make every one an adept in all the mysteries of medical science; nor have we endeavored to foster the humbug notion that "every one may be his own physician." We have simply tried to communicate that knowledge which is attainable by every person of ordinary intelligence, and which every woman, and especially every mother, should possess — that knowledge which will give the ability to distinguish many diseases in their early stages, while yet amenable to treatment — and to pursue a rational, safe, and efficient course for their removal, instead of resorting to a medley of dangerous recipes administered at haphazard. And should the efforts for the removal of disease

VI PREFACE.

be unavailing, it is hoped and believed that the readers of this work can better decide when to send for a physician, and for whom to send. Thus may they be enabled to avoid the fatal error of sending for a physician too late ; and, on the other hand, they may escape the scarcely less grave mistake of sending for some ignorant pretender, wholly unworthy of the responsible trust committed to him.

A most important peculiarity of the treatment prescribed in this work is the prominence given to Nature's remedies — the hygienic agents, air, water, food, the passions, &c, &c. These are made the prime, the principal remedies for the cure of disease. In almost all medical books written heretofore, for both physicians and people, these agencies have been either wholly overlooked, or they have had only a secondary place.* Medical writers, with very few exceptions, have failed to teach the great truth that prevention is better than cure; while their curative agents have consisted of the most active drugs, which are highly dangerous in the hands of the unskillful, and wholly inadmissible in ordinary domestic

* True, several popular medical works have been published of late; but these have unduly magnified the hygienic agents, by making them the sole remedies. The peculiarity of this work consists in giving these remedies their proper place in combination with others equally safe, and sometimef necessary. In short, exclusivism is avoided. True science is eclectic.

PREFACE. Vll practice. Hence the almost universal ignorance and disregard of health; hence the prevailing incredulity as to the power and safety of Nature's remedies ; hence the general belief in specifics and cure-alls ; hence the delusion that the whole secret of medicine consists in swallowing pills, powders, and mixtures; hence the fatal abuses of medicine in domestic practice ; hence the gross impositions of quackery ; and hence the brokendown constitutions, the withered beauty, the premature old age, the early graves, the miseries untold, the diseases innumerable, and the frightful mortality of the civilized world. The fatal errors that have led to results so disastrous, we have studiously endeavored to avoid. This book teaches that strong and dangerous drugs should be banished from domestic practice, and that the milder remedies of this class, together with the hygienic agents, should constitute the great staples of home treatment.

Part IV. is devoted to Midwifery, the Diseases and Accidents of Child-bed, and the Special Hygiene of Lying-in Women. These important subjects are treated more fully than they usually are in works that have quite a limited space allotted to this important branch. It is hoped that this division will prove highly useful to those for whom it is intended. And in conclud-

Vlll PREFACE.

ing this brief summary, we trust that we will not be charged with vanity or presumption when we say that a domestic medical work is now presented to the public, that may be read without injury to health, purse, or morals. As to any positive merits it may possess, in addition to the negative ones just mentioned, our readers must decide.

The book concludes with a Chapter on Infants — a subject that will be embraced, perhaps, in a separate volume.

Necessity for the Work. — After what has been said, it is needless to multiply words on this point. While woman has shared the evils to which we have adverted, in common with the rest of the human family, her sufferings have been of a peculiar and aggravated nature. This is the result of her dependent condition — of the peculiarities of her physical organization — of the special duties imposed on her as a mother — and above all, of her blind subserviency to the unreasonable restrictions, and the health-destroying fashions and customs of society. And yet, while thus exposed in an eminent degree to disease, her dependence on man for aid and counsel, and her native modesty, subject her to peculiar disadvantages in seeking relief. This little work is intended to obviate some of those

PEEFACE. IX

difficulties ; and we are sure that those for whom it is designed will gladly welcome a friend that will forewarn them of the dangers at which we have hinted — that will show them the way of health — and that may be consulted under the most trying and delicate circumstances without the least reserve. Women, by virtue of their natural and social relations, have more to do with health and disease, than all the doctors in the world : they are our nurses in sickness ; they are the mothers and trainers of our children ; and hence they can do more to remove the diseases that afflict the human family than all the world besides. How important then, that they should be put in possession of that medical and hygienic knowledge which will qualify them for the great duties devolving upon them !

Origin of the Work. — This is the execution of a long-cherished desire to do some good in our " day and generation ;" and more especially to do something to alleviate the great and disproportionate sufferings of woman. We have sincerely prayed that we might be enabled to do this : and should the desire of our heart be granted — should we be instrumental in shielding the loveliest and the best of our race from the evils to which they are exposed — should we succeed in turning even a few of this generation from

X PREFACE.

the crooked and rugged paths of error, and in opening up a Highway of health for posterity — should our name be mentioned with blessings by lovely woman — and should our grave be bedewed by the tears of even one, who has been redeemed from disease and death through our agency — it will be enough : no greater reward could be bestowed — this is more than " diamonds set in gold."

Columbus, Ga., Feby. 20th, 1860.

Note. — Technical terms have been avoided as far as possible ; and those which have been used, and the meaning of which is not obvious from the connection in which they are employed, will be found explained at the end of the book.

Chapter I. Anatomy Of The Human Body

Anatomy defined — Anatomical and chemical constituents — Structure of bones — Bones of the head — Bones of chest and spine — Structure and motions of spine — The muscles — Their nature and uses — Muscles of expression — The nerves — Divisions of the nervous system — The brain — Divisions of the vascular system — The heart — The veins — The capillaries — The lymphatics — The lymphatic glands — The thoracic duct — The skin — The lungs — Structure of the lungs — The pleura — The larynx and trachea — Croup — The digestive canal — The mouth — "Falling of the palate" — The gullet — The stomach — The bowels — The liver — The pancreas, or "sweet-bread" — The spleen — Ague cake — The kidneys, . . . pages 21-86

Chapter II. — The Functions Of The Body — Physiology

Man a mass of little cells — The mind — Two divisions of mind — How ideas are formed — Power and happiness — Dreaming — How to procure sound sleep — The senses — Sense of smell — Does not always protect against disease — Influenced by snuff — Sense of sight — Offices of different parts of the eye — The pupil in disease — The sense of hearing — Principles on which the ear is made — The sense of taste — Influenced by education — The sense of touch, its seat, &c. — Digestion — The different stages — Gastric juice — Stomach, how restored — Drinks, their temperature, &c. — Quantity of gastric juice — Salt, &c. — Over-eating — How fluids are absorbed by the stomach — "We should

(xi)

Xll CONTENTS.

follow Nature — Absorption and circulation — The lacteals and lymphatics — Circulation of the blood — The pulse — "What moves the blood ? — Respiration — Respiration defined — Office of the lungs — Composition of the atmosphere — Changes in the blood by respiration — The air-cells — The breathing capacity — Principal agents in breathing — Proportion between breathing and pulse — Heat, a uniform standard — Nutrition — The grand finishing process — "What we know about nutrition — Some of the diseases of nutrition — How often is the body renewed ? — The different secretions — The mucous secretion — The watery secretion — Dropsy — Woman's tears — Excretion from the skin — Urinary excretion — Stone and gravel — The evacuations from the bowels — Vicarious action — Important rule 36-53

Chapter III. — Description Of The Sexual Organs Of Woman

The bony pelvis — The cavity of the pelvis — External organs of generation — The mons veneris — The labia majora — Diseases — Modesty — Health — The breasts — Internal organs of generation — The vagina — The womb — The ovaries — The bladder —The rectum, 53-57

Chapter IV. Offices Of The Sexual Organs — Physiology

The "courses" — Time for the "courses" — Duration of menstrual life — What the monthly discharge indicates — Early marriages — Length of each menstrual period — Influence of the moon, &c — Healthy discharge not painful — Girls should know these things — Reproduction — The germ or seed — When conception is most likely to occur, 58-65

Chapter I. — Various Matters

Health neglected — Providence slandered — Our belief — Blind leaders, &c. — Patent medicine certifiers — A great difficulty —

CONTENTS. Xlll

Knowledge increasing — Wilful violation — A fatal delusion — Fruits of obedience — Disease banished — Woman's sufferings, &c. — Concluding appeal — A great work, .... 69-75

Chapter II. Of Air

Composition of the air — Crowded rooms — The air of cities — Can nothing be done? — What woman can do — Capacity of the lungs — Effects of impure air, &c. — Sedentary habits — Seamstresses — Fashionable ladies — Intense mental application — Light reading — Bad positions — Means of expanding the lungs — Tends to promote health — Directions for the sedentary, &c. — Directions for those who have more leisure — Women should not submit to restraints — Change of air — No advantage in change in itself — Means of purifying the air — Private rooms, fires, ventilation — Fire-places and stoves — Smoking lamps, &c. — Sleeping-rooms — Bad colds — Night air — Late suppers — Air of public conveyances, 75-94

Chapter III. — Of Light

Effects of on plants, &c. — How it acts on animal life — Veiled ladies, 94-95

Chapter IV. — Of Drinks

Nature's beverage — Uses of water to the economy — The quantity of water required — Time for drinking — Temperature of drinks — A warning to women — Artificial drinks — Wines, cordials, &c. — Tea and coffee — Our views — Properties of tea and coffee — Effects of tea and coffee on women and children — Total abstinence — Chocolate — Hot-water tea — Acidulous drinks, ale, porter, &c. — Mineral waters — Composition — Not required by well people — Cases in which chalybeates are appropriate — Health-destroying customs at watering places — Mineral waters beneficial — Purity of different kinds of water — Minerals not injurious — Purity of rain water, &c — Modes of purifying water, ....... 95-1 1 1

Chapter V. — Of Diet

Animal diet — Use and abuse — In what our errors consist — Diet for the sedentary and inactive — A dreadful explosion —

XIV CONTENTS.

Beauty, health, and mind lost — Vinegar and grossness — A better way — Individual peculiarities as to diet — Acquired peculiarities — Cases in illustration — Another case — Wind-colic and stimulants — An important lesson — Climate and fat bacon, &c. — Elementary nature of foods — '.'Minerals" — Variety and bulk necessary — Dieting — Nutritiveness and digestibility of foods — Firmness and density necessary to digestion — Animal foods — Milk — Butter — Cheese — Vomiting in children — Eggs — Fish — Birds — Fat hogs and disease — A prize monster — Filthy habits of the hog, &c. — Beef — Mutton, &c. — Manner of slaughtering animals — Spoiled meat — Cooking meats — The best mode — The worst mode — Frying in the South — Boasting — Baking — Vegetable food — Wheat — Light bread — How acids and alkalis act — Are they wholesome ? — Fermented bread — Unleavened bread most wholesome — Fine flour — Use of wheat husks — Receipt for making bread — Hot and cold bread — Decayed teeth — Cakes — Dumplings, &c. — Corn bread, hominy — Dyspepsia, &c. — Bice — Best mode of cooking — Peas — Beans — Boots — " Bacon and collards" — Fruits, how eaten — Stone fruits, apples, &c. — Strawberries and ice-cream — Melons — Action on the kidneys — Bules general — How to manage the stomach — Condiments — What they are — Salt, how it acts — Salt bacon — Vinegar and aromatrcs, &c. — A rule for the condiments — The best sauce — Times of eating — Breakfast and fluids — A bad breath — Drinking early in the morning — Dinner — Heavy suppers — Quantity of food, &c. — Not determined according to Gulliver — The genus Over-eater — The Lovers-to-eat — The Bolters — The Do-nothings — The Save-alls — The Eaters-to-make-it-even — The Accommodaters — The Would-do-betters — The Coming-appetiters — Effects of over-eating — Too many dishes, .... 111-149

Chapter VI. — Of Temperature

How we are warmed — Artificial heat — Warming rooms — Dangers of neglect, &c. — "Bad colds" — Climate — Southern women,

150-155

CHAPTER VII. — OF EXERCISE. Necessary consequences of neglect — How girls are raised

CONTEXTS. XV

Boarding-schools for young ladies — Exercise among the fashionables — The hope of our country — Manner of exercising — Time of exercising — Extent and objects of exercise,

155-165

Chapter VIII. — Of Sleep

What is sleep? &c. — Time for sleep — Fashionable parties — How long should we sleep ? — Beds — Fires, &c. — Position — Night-caps — Dreams of bliss, 165-169

Chapter IX. — Of Dress

Dress necessary — Its abuses — The law of dress — Bonnets — Low dresses — Tight dresses — Pointed waists — Reasons for tight bodies, &c. — How to acquire a good carriage — Thin shoes — How to protect the feet — Hoop-skirts — Long dresses — Under-garments — Cooling off — Management of the hair — Origin of the fashions — Rules to be hung over every lady's looking-glass, 169-181

Chapter X. — Of Bathing

Bathing necessary — Manner in which water acts — The different kinds of baths — Temperature and time of bathing — Swimming — Means of procuring reaction, &c. — Objections to bathing, . 182-189

Chapter XI. — Of The Excretions

Nature of the excretions — The evacuations from the kidneys and bowels — Means of regulating the bowels, &c. — Rules for the regulation of the excretions, ..... 190-193

Chapter XII. Mental Hygiene

Connection between mind and body — Influence of the mind in woman — The ruling passion — Dangers to which women are exposed — Works of fiction — Theatres, &c. — Consolations of religion — Influence of the depressing passions — Elevating passions — Amusements — Religion, &c, . . . 194-202

XVI CONTENTS.

Chapter I. — Of Disease In General

What is disease ? — Causes of disease — Treatment of disease — Two principles — The domestic treatment of disease — Abuse of medicine, &c. — Medical books for the people — Water as a remedy — Manner in which the warm bath acts, . . 205-217

Chapter II. Diseases Of External Genitals

Inflammation defined, &c. — Inflammation of the privates — Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the external privates — Itching of the privates — Tumors of the external privates — Deformities of the privates — Union of the lips of the privates —Enlarged clitoris, &c, 218-223

Chapter III. Functional Disorders Of The Vagina And Womb

Leucorrhoea or "whites" — Absence and suppression of the courses — Simple absence of the menses — Absence of the menses with leucorrhoea — Suppression or stoppage of the menses — Painful menstruation — Excessive flow of the menses — Effects of disordered menstruation — Green-sickness, 223-246

Chapter V. — Organic Diseases Of The Womb

Inflammation of the womb — Chronic inflammation and ulceration — Tumors and other collections in the womb — Nature of the tumors — Polypous tumors — Cancer of the womb — Corroding ulcer and cauliflower excrescence — Falling of the womb — Falling of the womb backward — Diseases of the ovaries, 249-269

Chapter VI — Symptoms And Hygiene Of Pregnancy

The features — The nipples — The moral feelings — The menses — The urine — Quickening — Hygiene of pregnancy— Pregnancy

CONTENTS. XV11

a natural healthy condition and not a disease — Disease may be avoided, &c. — Changes in the womb — Changes in various parts — Air — Clothing — Diet — Drinks — Snuff — Bleeding — Purgatives — Exercise — Sleep — Disgusting sights — Influence of the mind on the child before birth — Bathing — Position — Benefits from observing the laws of health, . . ' . . 269-279

Chapter VII. — Diseases Op Pregnancy

Dropsical swelling of the privates — Discharges from the vagina — Inflammation of the womb — Toothache — Salivation — Longings — Loss of appetite, &c. — Sick-stomach — Heartburn — Cramp in the stomach and bowels — Vomiting blood — Constipation — Piles — Looseness of the bowels — Palpitation of the heart — Fainting fits — Cough and difficulty of breathing — Sleeplessness — Low spirits — Headache — Hysteric fits — Convulsions in pregnancy — Pains in the breasts — Relaxation of the abdomen and ruptures — Inability to hold the urine — Difficulty in passing water — Cramps in various parts — Enlarged veins — Swelled legs — Miscarriages and false conceptions — Moles, &c , 280-306

Chapter IV. Management Of Natural Labor

Meddlesome midwifery — Position of the woman — Making the bed — The chamber, diet, drinks, &c— The bowels and bladder — Moral management — Assistance in the last stage — Management of the child — Delivery of the after-birth — Who shall be midwives ? 320-331

Part First. A Bkief Description Of The Stkuctuke And Functions Of The Human Body

WITHOUT SOME KNOWLEDGE OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY, DIREC- TIONS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTH CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD OR APPRECIATED — SYMPTOMS ARE WITHOUT MEANING, AND THE USE OF REMEDIES A BLIND EXPERIMENT.

Chapter I. Anatomy Of The Human Body

Anatomy defined, &c. — Anatomy treats of the structure of organized bodies, such, as plants and animals. These are called organized, because they consist of an assemblage of parts or organs, associated together for the performance of special offices. The union of several organs for the accomplishment of one or more ends constitutes a system, as the nervous system, composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, &c. : the blood-vessel system, consisting of the heart, arteries, and veins, &c, &c.

Anatomical and Chemical Constituents. — The human body consists anatomically of solids and fluids : Chemically, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, and lime are the principal constituents ; while iron, sulphur, sodium, and several other elements are considered essential components by most physiologists. These chemical elements, variously combined, form the different tissues, as the muscular tissue, the nervous tissue, &c, &c. The fluids constitute much the larger portion of the human body : the principal fluids are the blood, chyle, lymph, spittle, gastric juice, bile, sweat, urine, &c.

22 THE BOXES.

The Bones.

Theik Structure. — Bones are formed of cartilage, or gristle, and lime principally. The gristle gives form, and the lime gives firmness. When the lime is in excess, the bones are brittle and easily broken, as is often the case with old people. In children the bones are soft and flexible, and hence mothers should not encourage their children in premature efforts at walking, if they would avoid bow-legs and knockknees. The bones are supplied with blood-vessels, and, though destitute of sensibility in a healthy state, are highly sensitive when diseased.

The human skeleton is composed of 246 bones, not counting some of the smaller ones.

Boxes of the Head. — These form the walls of the skull ; they are strongly united by sutures or seams, and those most exposed to violence are divided into two tables, which are separated by an intervening cellular or honey-comb substance. Thus the vital organs within are admirably protected against blows and falls, and the skull may even be fractured and depressed without injury to the brain. This is but one of the many evidences of design afforded by the human body, which may well cause us to exclaim, —

"How complicate ! how wonderful is man !"

The Boxes of the Chest axd Spixe. — These bones, through the fashions and habits of modern society, are much exposed to injury, and therefore it is important that every woman should know something of their structure. The bony chest or "breast" consists of

THE BONES. 23

twelve ribs on each side, of a portion of the back-bone behind, and of the broad, flat breast-bone in front, between the ends of the ribs. The upper ribs are attached to the back-bone behind and to the breast-bone in front by cartilage or gristle ; while the lower ribs are not nnited directly to this bone, but are connected with each other by gristle, or float loosely without support in front. The ribs are placed obliquely, the front end being lower than the one behind. It will be readily seen then how compressible the chest must be, for the cartilages easily yield to any force from without, and thus the ribs are depressed and the cavity of the chest diminished. The lungs within being as unresisting as air itself, the chest may be compressed almost indefinitely; and especially if this be done gradually, so that the vital organs within may accommodate themselves to their diminished space.

Structure and Motions of the Spine. — The vertebral column or " back-bone" consists of twenty-four bones, each united to the other -by an elastic, compressible cushion. The spine is the central axis of the body, and sustains the whole weight of the head, trunk, and arms. Each separate bone composing this column has a certain degree of motion, one on the other. And though the motion of each bone is very small, yet ii is manifest that a very slight yielding of all would cause considerable bending of the spine. Besides this the back-bone naturally bends forward about the middle, and it is therefore not surprising that weakness and relaxation of the muscles of the back should so increase this natural curve as to cause actual disease and deformity ; for these muscles are the prm-

24 THE MUSCLES.

cipal agents in keeping the spine erect. Shall we then, even indirectly, cast an imputation on the work of the great Architect? No; for though the spine bends forwards, it is done for a wise purpose, and the ligaments and muscles are amply sufficient to keep the spine from bending forward too much, if they are not paralyzed by inaction, or compression.

The Muscles.

Theik Nature and Uses. — People generally have a very confused idea about muscles, tendons, and nerves. We often hear them speaking of the stretching of the nerves, as if these were the cords or pulleys that moved the body. Now, the nerves have nothing to do with our motions, only to convey the commands of the brain to the muscles, which are the immediate active agents of locomotion, and all our movements. Another difficulty with the non-medical is that mere flesh should be a moving power of the body. The notion seems to be that - the flesh is a large, red, solid mass, spread over the body to round it off, while the smaller pieces of the mass are only thrown in to stop holes, and fill up depressions* "That soft, fibrous, red-colored substance which constitutes so large a portion of the volume of the more perfect animals, is called flesh or muscle." This flesh, or muscular tissue, is composed of bundles of fibres of variable size, enclosed in a membrane or sheath : these bundles are composed of smaller bundles enclosed in the same way, and these again of ultimate microscopic fibrils,

* As an evidence of the confusion with regard to the muscles, we often hear persons of remarkable muscular development spoken of as "nervous."

THE MUSCLES. 25

each enclosed in a very delicate membrane. All these bundles and fibres are held together by a delicate web-like tissue, and this tissue also lies between the different muscles and the skin. The muscles are attached to the bones by glistening cords called tendons or "sinews." The fixed point of a muscle is called its origin, and the movable, its insertion. The muscles are not only the agents by which we perform all our voluntary movements — they play an important part in digestion, circulation, &c. ; for the heart is a hollow muscle, while the stomach, bowels, bladder, and other organs are each provided with muscles which do their work without the agency of our will. As already intimated, the muscles have much to do with keeping the body erect, and in preventing it from falling forward. The large muscles on the back part of the leg, thigh, loins, and spine are the principal agents in maintaining the erect position, and if these muscles are enfeebled by inaction or compression, deformity and ungracefulness must inevitably ensue. The muscles have much to do with the expression; for while the immortal mind is the sunlight of the features, the muscles which compose those features may be compared to the polished plate of the Daguerrean, for on them the lights and shadows of the mind are permanently engraved : they reflect not only the transient gleam of passion, but they are the living, speaking embodiments of those feelings that habitually sway the heart.

The Muscles of Expkession. — The most expressive muscles are some very small ones, with very long names, about the nose and mouth. One of these — the 3

26 THE NERVES.

Levator Labii Superioris Alseque Nasi — rejoices in a name about as long as itself, and is intended to raise the sides of the nostrils, and the upper lip. It expresses scorn and disgust ; and is too often brought into requisition by the haughty beauty who curls her lip and nose in derision of those whom she conceives to be her inferiors. The Levator Anguli Oris, and the Zygomaticus Major et Minor raise the corners of the mouth and play in smiles on Beauty's dimpled cheek. The Orbicularis Oris closes the lips: a movement highly agreeable or disagreeable according to the design. The depressor muscles below the mouth are anatomically and emotionally antagonistic to those just described; they depress the corners of the mouth and the chin, giving expression to grief, sadness, and other gloomy, repulsive passions. Those who would cultivate beauty should never forget that the lights and shadows of the face are not always like summer clouds and sunshine — that indulgence in evil passions will give the countenance a permanent wintery hue, while the opposite feelings will cause the features to glow in radiant smiles, or to rest in placid winning beauty, like moonbeams on an unruffled lake. Who has not observed the contrast between the depressed sharp, withered expression of grief and anxiety, and the elevated, smooth features of cheerfulness and mirth, even when the passions are hushed in the deep repose of profound sleep ?

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