MOVEMENT CURE. A hygienic and thera peutic system for the preservation as well as the recovery of health, introduced by Pehr Ilenry Ling (born in 17661, a native of Smaland. Swe den. It is a modified form of gymnastics. being systematized and specially adapted to the treat ment of invalid; in a redueed condition. and possesses, in many respects, advantages over ordi nary gymnastic:. The system consists essen tially in carefully prescribed movements of the whole body or of individual groups of muscles, either with or without resistance. Ling's methods obtained wide recognition both in Europe and America. In Sweden a Royal ordinance was issued for the establishment of an institution de voted to the method of exercise. See LING, P. 11.
Various modifications of this system were mode front time to time, and massage and movement were gradually combined in the name modern schemes of nwehano-therapy, which are designed merely to correct Morbid conditions of the body by means of active or passive move ments. "These movements are active when they are executed by the patient's own volition. and passive when performed upon his body or with it or upon port: of it by the will of Alechano-therapy has probably reached its highest development in the ingenious inventions Of Dr. (Instal Zander. of Stoekhohn. About the mifflPe of the last century Zander introduced the first of these ingenious contrivances :or ad ministering the well-known •Swedish movements.' From crude beginnings he developed his 'system' until he had perfected over seventy varieties of apparatus, SOITIP of than weighing nearly a ton, by which the most delicate child and the most unwieldy adult can be treated with equal ease and advantage. These machines range from a
simple apparatus for moving a single joint or group of muscles to complieated mechanisms which closely imitate the motions of the body performed in horseback or even vaniel riding— the latter technically known as 'trunk circum duction.' Zander institutes have been established in all the important cities and health resorts in Europe. and there is One in New York City.
7\1(.4h:um-therapy is not designed. nor should it he resorted to, as n substitute for the natural, uneonseions exercise in the open air, such as is obtained in the various outdoor recreations, but is opplivable to those suffering from general weakness. or from affections of partienlar por tions of the body, such as local paralysis or joint affections. which would render general movement painful. harmful. or impossible. Another large class of person= who are likely to find benefit are those who are afflicted with deformities, due either to habit or disease. In such eases the orthopedist often finds a valuable ally in the movement cure. The subject is intimately relat ed to massage (q.v.). For fuller information, consult : (Arafstrom, .Ilechano-Therapy (Philadel phia, 1899), and Nissen, .1 If C of file Swedish Sysion of Educational Gymnastics (Philadel phia and London, 1891).