THE "SWEDISH MOVEMENT CURE"

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1520, 19 February 1886, Page 3

THE "SWEDISH MOVEMENT CURE"

In the beginning of this century a man lived in Sweden who proved to be a benefactor of humanity, l'bat man's name was Ling. He was Professor of Literature and Languages at the Urivernity of Upsala. He believed in an equfl development of the body and

mind, and was always using physical exercises for himself. Especially was he fond of fencing. It is told that one day. having a slight attack of rheumatism, he continued with his fencing exercises and found himself better; he continued another day and found himself well. That fact struck him as something new and as something to think of. He made several experiments on the effect of physical exercises on different disarrangements of he organism of the human bodv, and after a scientific research and study of several years, he built up a whole system of passive and active movements, taken by the patient in different positions and given by physicians especially trained in that mode of curative treatment, adapted for many acute and for all chronic diseases. As a matter of course, his system was first reorganised by the medical men in his own country, where it has been and still continues to develop into perfection. There is not one physician in Sweden who does not recommend this mode of treatment more or less during the course of his practice. Tl>is Swedish-movement cure, as it is called here, h s spread itself widely in Europe So there are large institutions under th » management of Swedes in Paris and London, where thousands avail themselves of this beneficent treatment, instead of poisoning themselves with drugs. How will vou cure spinal curvature ? With drugs? With an operation? No, only by strengthening the muscles of the back, so as to make them able to keep the spinal column straight and upright. Prof. Ling's motto was " Better to prevent than to be prevented." For that reason v he also wrought out a system of gymnastics for well people. Even this his thought is recognised by his countrymen, and his system of " Physical Exercises " is introduced as an obligatory subject in all the public schools. Also the private schools have introduced the gymnastics, which the children as a rule enjoy.—Corr. Boston Transcript.