Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].

probably be quite useless in helping bust development, and do more harm than good. So, in order to avoid possible misunderstandings, I wish to emphasise that the exercises just described, and numbered from 29 to 36 inclusive, should not be attempted during pregnancy: they are decided " training exercises/' and thus involve a good deal of effort and fatigue. The best prescription for undeveloped breasts during pregnancy with a view to functional activity in nursing is massage and diathermy. But care should be taken in applying these, as the stimuli received by the nerves of the breasts may easily lead to reflex uterine contractions and the risk of miscarriage or premature labour. Finally, what of the pains and troubles resulting from excessively large and heavy breasts, especially such as are most distended by the rapid process of growth and secretion during pregnancy and the puerperium: can these be remedied by gymnastic exercises ? In the strict sense of the term : No ; but appropriate and gentle exercise of the shoulders and upper portion of the back alleviates and diminishes the pain and fatigue of those parts (shoulders and back) which sometimes ensue from the heavy weight of the over-filled and tensed breasts. A further excellent remedy for these troubles is gentle massage, especially a slight tapotement of the muscles of shoulders and back (see Fig. 42). This form of massage may replace any exercise of the shoulder muscles if the patient is easily fatigued. The tapotement may be repeated several times during the day. Many women who have experienced its soothing yet stimulating beneficial effect find it indis- pensable. Of course, the breasts themselves should be supported during this massage of the back by a pro- perly made and adjusted bust-bodice, soutien gorge, and not only during tapotement, but throughout the stage of lactation. In fact, apart from physical exercises, the demand first formulated above, that the breasts should be prevented from dragging their muscular and connective attachments L 2