Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].
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floor or perineum. And perineal exercises are indeed an important and almost autonomous section of pelvic physical culture, although they may be indirectly assisted and promoted by the contraction of adjacent muscles and the accompanying nervous reflexes. But we will not restrict the term pelvic exercises to the perineum alone, but take a wider view, including all such muscular exercises as are in any way connected with the pelvis, and which move the bony girdle either in relation to its external surroundings as a whole, or move its main portions, e.g., the sacrum in relation to the two iliac bones. In other words, we shall treat the exercises of the pelvic zone as well as those of the pelvic floor. " What is the purpose of pelvic exercises, and how is this purpose effected ? " In our reply it will be necessary to resort to repetition for the sake of completeness. Pelvic exercises promote the circulation of the blood and the lymph throughout the blood vessels and lymph ducts of the pelvic organs, especially of the whole genital tract. They help a wholesome and well regulated functional activity, prevent disturbances of menstruation and relieve such disturbances in certain circumstances. If pelvic exercises are carried out with due care and intelligence, they guarantee—to some extent—the normal position of the delicately poised uterus and ovaries, and prevent injurious displacements. Pelvic exercises may, further, help to make and keep the genital organs fit for their reproductive work. Pelvic exercises put women in the position to exert an active influence in coitus, both as regards the promotion or regulation of conception, and, by, accentuating the sensations of mutual pleasure with their harvest of happy memories, mutual gratitude, refreshment and relief. By appropriate pelvic exercise, with due caution, during pregnancy, a woman can keep herself healthy and ready for her heavy ordeal, particularly by quickening the circula- tion of the blood in pelvis and lower limbs, which is apt to be much impeded in pregnancy.