Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].
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of some elastic weave, and is wrapped crosswise round the body so that it supports both the pelvis and the thorax (see Figs, (a) and (b) on Plate X. for the positions in which safety fasteners should be attached). If the bandage is correctly applied, it will not slip when the patient gets up. Another support which can do good service is a deep belt of elastic material shaped to the contours of the feminine body; such belts are on the market nowadays in fair variety, but they must be firm and strong enough if they are to afford proper support to the abdomen in front. If the material sags, it can be " taken in." In Sellheims Clinic, a strong closely-woven bandage is used with a thin layer of cork, which is said to give an elastic pressure on the frontal muscles. In my private practice, I used to order similar occasional maternity supports for my patients, to be made to measure. The abdominal half was of strong elastic and the back— which could be changed—of closely-woven washable material. Of course these special supports have great merits, but mean too much delay and expense to be suitable for most cases in practice. Exercises after child-birth, while the patient still keeps her bed, should be performed once or twice a day, according to the woman's condition and circumstances. I think it is better to have two spells, and let the evening ration be the lighter of the two, with special use of semi-active move- ments. If the patient feels too languid and disinclined for exertion, these semi-active movements should be replaced by wholly passive exercises, for these are better for her circulation, especially in the lower extremities and also for her general condition, than lying motionless. For even if she is fatigued, she will generally feel refreshed and benefited after skilled and light passive exercise. And such exercises combine admirably with light massage: or sometimes, massage may replace actual exercise. The whole subject of massage is outside the limits of the present study, so I will only say that it might be used far more fully and beneficially