PEOPLE WHO ARE LEFTHANDED.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 7779, 11 May 1886, Page 4

PEOPLE WHO ARE LEFTHANDED.

‘ The majority of people are right-handed because they are trained to be so,’ This -fras the reply of a doctor to a reporter who interrogated hihi Oh the subject. ‘ Several theories have been advanced why people are generally right-handed,’ continued the physician, 1 but with what reason scientists have never taken the trouble to demonstrate. Perhaps that which would come nearest the truth, if any of nature wet e found to govern dexterity, would be that, the heart being 'placed on the left side, the right side should be used with greater freedom. Another theory is.that the brain is weightier on the right side than on tho left. Whatever the cause may be, I find that those in youth who have trained theiriaslves to using the leCt.K’dha experience no difficulty or or inconvienence. When a child is sinistrously inclined and takes to using the left hand by such natural inclination, it is not because of any malformation or displacement of the heart or Consequently I am led to the belief that it is all a matter of training.*Several other physi cians who were ; sjDqkbh ,to .oti the subject gave tlie same opinion. Inquiry of a number of left-handed people confirmed, the statement that no inconvienence resulted, from the use of the left hand, but that, on the contary, they find it-a positive advantage, inasmuch as that in numerous instances they become, ambidexterous. Persons who have much writing to do are liaple to * pen paralysis,’ or ‘ writers’ cramp,* lasting sometimes for weeks. Ordinarily, after several hours’ constant writing, the arm is very much fatigued. Where a person can write with both hands he can rest one, and if by any accident he should be deprived of temporary or permanent use of the hand he is accustomed to Use, he W.ill be fcble to * fall back ’ oil the pthfetr, I'n telegraphy likewise, wlVerb ah operator lias to transmit or receive long messages, he is subject to ‘ telegraphers cramps The work is laborious and fatiguing, but when the operator can use both hand she can not only save himself much fatigue, but facilitate the work. Some trademen who are left-handed can command better wages than righthanded men of equal ability. This is shown in the case of a boiler-riveter who, if left-handed, can work inside a boiler without the awkwardness of a right-handed man, and do superior work. An engraver who uses both hands can always command a position. Smiths, carpenters, and othet artisans also derive much advantage from the iise.df both hands, and Uohe who happen to be left-handed experience any inconvenience. A person who operates a type-writer finds it necessary to use both hands, and has to train himself to it when learning the instrument. Many tools are made which are intended to be used with the right hand only, and can oiu£ be operated with great awkwardness with the left hand. This is .said to also contribute towards making a majority of people righthanded. Notwithstanding all that can be said in favor of the education of the left hand, there is a powerful prejudice against it, and left-handed people are spoken of contemptuously.—Philadelphia News,