Page:Caplin - Health and Beauty1864 - 131.png

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On Spinal Deformities.
131

We cannot insist too often, nor too strongly, upon the necessity of early and proper exercise. To use the language of an accomplished writer: "If the days of childhood were devoted to the goddess Hygeia, and the perceptive faculties allowed to exercise themselves by observing the wonders of art and the beauties of nature, then civilization would add to all positive blessings, and a higher advantage co-existing with rude good health. It is true that if these views were generally entertained there would be less work for all kinds of medical professors, and they might exclaim, 'Othello's occupation's gone.'"

But the world would be spared much suffering and vast inconvenience. Physical health is one of the greatest sources of happiness to the child. Its value may be estimated by watching the gambols of well-formed children, with cheeks in which the rose and lily blend most harmoniously, giving bright­ness to their laughing, happy-looking eyes, as they throw their pliant bodies and vigorous limbs into the most graceful attitudes whilst bounding over the greensward, like young gazelles, positively intoxicated with the joys of mere physical existence! or watch them pursuing with agility the gay butterfly, or gathering wild flowers; every sense has