MOVEMENT' CURE, a hygienic and therapeutic system for the preservation as well as the recovery of health, introduced by Peter Henry 'Ling, a native of Smaland, in Sweden, b. 1766. It is a modified form of gymnastics, and being systematized' and specially adapted to the treatment of invalids in a reduced condition, possesses, in many respects, additional advantages to those afforded by ordinary gymnastics. The ancient Greeks and Romans, particularly the former, brought the science of gymnastics, in its purely hygienic relations and as adapted to the development of great strength and agility in healthy constitutions, to a great degree of perfection, as is attested by the power they possessed of performing wonderful feats of strength, endurance, and anility. But their SparSin like processes would, if practiced upon invalids, particularly of the modern type, promote death rather than recovery. It is probable that the ordinary bodily exertions practiced by a normally educated man employed in active business pursuits are, in general terms, sufficient aids to the stimulation of the other functions of the body; but it must be confessed that normally developed and healthy men are exceptional. Civil ization, with its competitions, strifes, and various requirements, has imposed restraints which interfere with and prevent normal development. The practice of ordinary gym nastics, or of the ordinary recreations, such as walking, rowing, -boxing, horseback riding. etc., would probably be sufficient for the restoration of functional equilibrium in a person simply jaded by over-work, and this method, because it employs unconscious exertion and perfect relaxation of mind, or essays to do so, is preferable; but, at the same time, it must be acknowledged that in very many cases an individual has formed habits of movement which are more or less abnormal. 'Many of his muscles, and groups of muscles, from habits formed in the prosecution of his business, have had but very little exercise; they are consequently sluggishly nourished, and do not eliminate effete matter in a manner suited to the requireineuts of the nerves which enter them, or of the general nervous system with which they are connected. Under such circumstances exercise requires to be systematized more than it is in the rapid and successive movements which take place in ordinary exercise or labor. The man is like a machine out of order: the mere setting in motion of which, if its parts are not completely deranged, will not pro duce repair. In some instances a patient who might be benefited by partial exercise, would be injured by bringing into action the whole body. These premises being admit ted, it will be seen that what is called movement cure can, in many cases where ordi narily healthy persons are undergoing training, be advantageously conjoined with ordinary gymnastics. Ling started a genuine reformation; and he had the approbation of his sovereign in his efforts—a royal ordinance for the establishment of an institution being issued in 1814, and the Swedish government to-day acknowledges the advantages it derives from a governmental institution and from other private establishments of the kind. The natural exercise which is obtained by walking or riding, or moderate gym nastics, ought not to be too readily laid aside for problematic advantages of exercising distinct groups of muscles, unless such a course is very clearly indicated; but, at the same time, it must be borne in mind that many persons have been injured by over exertion at the gymnasium. Although, as a general rule, unconscious exercise, such as is taken in genuine recreations, is preferable to that which is forced, it is claimed by those who have practiced the movement cure that there are cases in which conscious and directed movements are more beneficial than those which are unconscious; and this is not an unreasonable conclusion, if such movements are performed so as to render the exercise a diversion. One of the principles of the movement cure is that a muscle or a group of muscles shall not be exercised continuously for a long time, but that there shall be an interval or intervals of rest, during which assimilative nutrition takes place better than when the action is prolonged. Blood is drawn to the part, and during lime succeeding resting spell the muscles grow, instead of wasting by continued exertion. Those who have an unbalanced muscular development, no doubt, in walking and riding, often over-work the weaker muscles, from the effects of which they afterward suffer dis comfort, and miss the securing of the desired harmonious results. When, therefore, it is sought to restore weakened or disused muscles, great care ought to be taken not to over tax them, but to stop short of fatigue; but this is often incompatible with the taking of a walk or a ride of much length. The more correct physiological plan is, in certain cases, to let the general muscular system remain comparatively quiet, while intermittent and moderate movements are made with the special muscles under treatment. This will tend, after a while, to bring them up to a standard sufficient to enable them to take a fair share with the stronger muscles in the general movement of the body, so that by using the latter rather below their capabilities, and the former just enough for theirs, an equilibrium will at last be brought about. To secure this result various devices are practiced, one of the chief principles being that the patient may teach himself, or be taught, how to exercise particular muscles, or sets of muscles, without the aid of any apparatus, but while lie is in a natural standing, sitting, or recumbent position. The
muscles of the thighs, or of the legs, may be brought into action—and into strong action if it should be desirable—by an effort of the will, and that with scarcely any alteration in the posture. • The gluteal muscles are readily brought into action during any position of the body. While lying upon the back, or upon the side, they are readily contracted, and may be held in such a state for any desirable length of time, and at any moment allowed a period of repose for the natural operation of assimilation. This is certainly philosophical practice, and that good results will follow it cannot be denied. The abdom inal muscles can very advantageously be set in motion while one is lying upon the back by raising the head from the pillow, and repeating the .operation as often as may lie thought beneficial. But this exercise is not confined to the abdominal muscles, the pectoral muscles take a certain share, and also the diaphragm; but one peculiar benefit is derived from the stimulus given by the contracted abdomen walls to the involuntary muscles of the alimentary canal, which are usually, in cases calling for this mode of treatment, in a weakened and more or less torpid condition. 'It is frequently asked why physicians do not more often recommend such practice to their patients. A great part of a plivsician'a duty lies in the treatment of acute diseases, which, as a rule, are not susceptible of cure by movements of the muscular system, and will not, in most eases, admit of such practice without hurtful results. When the body is poisoned by disease germs, as in many of the contagious fevers, there is an unnatural performance of func tions which is incompatible with much voluntary motion. Sometimes, indeed, passive motion may be made with such as gently kneading the bowels, but, as a rule, rest, often absolute rest, is required; and, as the conditions of the disease usually involve the loss of somet'of-the mineral constitnents of the body, medicines, judiciously adminis _ tered are of great importance. There is no doubt of the efficacy of quinine in the treatment of that poisoned condition engendered by miasm, nor of the beneficial effects attending the use of alkaline medicines in many- febrile and inflammatory conditions. Many patients would die of gout and rheumatism but for the action of alkalies, and the almost sovereign power, in many cases of gout, of the plant called colchicum. There are conditions of the system in robust as well as delicate persons, when attacked by acute disease, in which the relief afforded by morphine, or some constituent of opium, would appear to be the only means of saving life. The principal occupation, therefore, of the general practitioner is in prescribing theordinary therapeutic remedies and attending to those directions which concern the immediate necessities of the patient, such as diet, ventilation of the sick-room, rest and quiet; and there is a temptation to fall into routine habits, but this temptation is not as often yielded to as is supposed, or alleged. Indeed, it is a matter well understood among medical practitioners that, as a rule, it is impos sible to prevail upon patients to follow hygienic prescriptions. They are told to ride on horse-back, to walk, to use dumb-bells anel Indian-clubs, to go to the gymnasium, or to the movement cure; but they do not obey directions; they have no time. The merchant must attend to his business; his presence is needed on change, and not at the gymnasium, or at the movement cure, or anywhere, dressed in the attire of an athlete, or of an inva lid. A lady has a multitude of domestic duties, or, if they are neglected, it is for society and its gayeties, or for pressing demands made upon her for benevolent or charitable work, or for the necessary attentions due to her neighbors and friends. A thousand counter-attractions cause the doctor's injunctions to be disregarded; and is it any wonder that his youthful enthusiasm becomes somewhat modified, and that, after a \vhile, he submits to the necessity of employing such means only as he can carry out to the best advantage? The practice of movement cure is, however, attended with difficulties. There will be an unavoidable tendency to carry speculations and theories to an unwar rantable extent, and to give an indefinite multiplication of movements under an exagger ated idea of their importance, which often results in a want of confidence on the part of the patient in well-established but older methods, and leads him to neglect timely con sultation with the general practitioner, or surgeon, in cases requiring active medical or operative surgical interference. On the other hand, there is probably not enough atten tion paid by many of the medical profession to movement methods of cure in cases of deformities, particularly to those of the spinal column. It wonld•be unjust, however, to infer that such neglect is very prevalent. There are a great many surgeons, who, without calling public attention to their methods of treating deformities, are in the con stant practice of deriving aid from muscular and passive movements of all kinds applic able to each particular case. Iudecd, such practice furnishes the basis for the brilliant results which attend the practice of modern surgery, many of which are detailed in the history of cases published in numerous medical journals for the special benefit of the profession, and which are seldom seen public.