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

termed, connect the sacrum on either side with the ilia, while the third unites the rami of the ischia in the symphysis pubis at the front. Both women themselves and the obstetric specialists in charge of births are concerned that these articulations should be as mobile as possible, for this greatly helps in the process of birth. But it is equally important to preserve the actual bony ring of the pelvis solid and intact, for, otherwise, further painful and dangerous complications arise both during pregnancy and at birth. Moreover, the pelvis has other functions besides those of reproduction ; it is the basis that bears the whole weight of the trunk.(20) Therefore, we have great need to keep the " golden mean " here. In childhood and at puberty, the pelvic articulations are comparatively loose and the bones cartilaginous. Moreover, there is an automatic loosening of the articulations during pregnancy. We may even agree with Max Hirsch{21) that there is a certain similar relaxation during each menstrual period. Therefore we must stress the need for care. No exertions which might strain the pelvic articulations during pregnancy, during menstruation, and/or before the body is fully grown : roughly before twenty years of age. As a rule, we may say that Exercise 19 should only be carried out between maturity and the beginning of the first pregnancy. And even then moderation is advisable. I would recommend it, not as a daily exercise, but rather every third day, and then twice or thrice in succession, preferably under skilled supervision and never during menstruation. I would also suggest that, when beginning to learn No. 19, it is well to support the feet somewhat in the suspensory attitude. Where there is constitutional asthenia or marked muscular weakness it is contraindicated. A few words of warning must be uttered here, although not strictly relevant to regulated physical culture for girls and women. But the pelvis is a most important region, and the feminine pelvis is often injured by the lack of judgment shown in games, gymnastics and athletics. The immature