two sets of muscles, the refinement and dignity of expression of the trunk is lost, and economy of physical activities impossible.
A more serious result is the effect upon the internal organs. The tilting of the pelvic basin forward brings the true pelvis, which shelters the most important organ of the body, directly underneath of the mass of the intestinal tract; this, in turn, is being pressed upon by the prolapsed stomach and liver, which have been forced down by the dropping of the ribs. This extra weight drags the pelvic organs from their moorings, puts a strain upon their controlling ligaments, sometimes causes the organs to fold over upon themselves and seriously interferes with their functions.
This "breaking at the waist," as we call it, contracts the lung and abdominal space so much that breathing is much interfered with and the high stomach or prominent abdomen is produced.
Impress upon yourself the necessity of carrying the head high, of never losing the natural curves of the spine, of sitting well back in your chair, so as to have the center of the base upon which you move as near the hip joints as possible. If this central point be well selected, the body can be easily and economically moved in any direction within quite a large radius around the sitting position.
The hip joint is the chief bending joint, and the delicate joints of the spinal column are designed for the more refined controlling actions of the constantly changing center of gravity, for the preservation of the elasticity of the ribs and the protection of the spinal nerves from shock.
We will now consider standing positions.
Many women, in their efforts to stand well, throw the shoulders back, the abdomen comes forward and the whole spinal region is stiffened. The pelvic organs are thrown into an unnatural position, the center of gravity falls back over the heels and the result is a tense, jerky walk which causes a jar to the spine atpage seven
