Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].
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such expert help cannot be obtained, it might be possible to attempt some of them with satisfactory results after careful study of our directions and the illustrations and films appended.* The performance will be less "finished" and technically perfect, but there may, nevertheless, be sub- stantially good results. I have dealt in detail with the technical side of this work, for the means to a valuable end need the utmost care and accuracy. But the end itself transcends and includes all the means and I would dwell for a brief while, in conclusion, on the psychological and human aspect of the work and the purpose it strives to serve. For some of my readers the ethical significance of my aims will be what decides or forbids their interest and help. They will ask, first and foremost, " Are these things right or wrong in themselves ? " Now, I do not think the strictest pietists and supporters of traditional codes can still, to-day, disapprove of the alleviation of birth pains through physical culture ! There will always be enough and to spare of anguish and danger to please the devotees of the Old Testament doom : "J will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception : in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children ! " Similarly, the prevention of subsequent injuries and morbid conditions of the genital organs can also hardly be condemned by believing Christians to-day ! But, of course, traditional Christian ethics do not accept the other aims of this work as worthy or lawful. Those whose dogma declares " the lusts of the flesh " to be " sinful" must logically disapprove of all our efforts to enhance mutual * In order to teach this gymnastic technique to other persons,~ there must be absolute mastery and proficiency, and I would earnestly request gymnastic instructresses who wish to take up this branch of the work professionally, to apply for special instructions to Mrs. Lisa Mar, 9, Stein- strasse, Baden-Baden. As has been explicitly mentioned in the preceding pages, the pelvic exercises have all been constructed, selected and tested by Mrs. Lisa Mar and myself, in collaboration. Our years of joint effort in our professions have led to entire agreement in the general aims and details of this study; and, as Mrs. Mar is as talented a lecturer as she is an able gymnast, she is entirely qualified to teach the teachers. Moreover, at the present date, she is the only person so qualified.