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

comparatively heavy organ, suspended midway in the pelvic cavity in such a way that it has a considerable degree of mobility in relation to the " lighter weights "—organs and tissues—which immediately surround it. And a definite swing or vehement jerk of the pelvis or the whole body, which is abruptly checked, may lead to twists or displace- ments of the womb or its tubes and ovaries. Therefore, caution is imperative in these movements. Scllheim has emphasised this need in various publications, especially in " Gymnastik und Frauenkunde," (10) and various French gynaecologists attribute severe cases of version and dis- placement to this cause.Among the most popular and exhilarating gymnastic exercises are the swinging move- ments, especially the " mowing," which sway the pelvis vigorously from side to side. Be careful not to end it with a sharp jerk ! The exercises of the pelvis are not easy, either to learn in theory or to carry out in practice. This is unavoidable, and here—as in all departments of life—thought, exertion and endurance are necessary to success. They also presuppose some degree of general physical fitness and physical culture —as adumbrated, for instance, in the work of Eugen Matthias.(12) Further useful exercises preliminary to our special course may be taken from the manuals by Lisa Mar (13), and the medical woman, Ema Vorberg.{u) But, if readers of this book should have no wish to trouble themselves with further explanation and examples, they may quite profitably confine themselves to the Transitional Exercises described at the end of our next chapter (IV.). They may also find some help in the chapters dealing with exercises during pregnancy and after child-birth. These chapters contain suggestions which may be modified from semi-active (with the aid of the instructress) into fully active and autonomous, and may be then used as a preparation. I would, however, suggest that the whole matter deserves serious attention and effort, and may best be supervised by a trained instructress. By an instructress—for it is, in my opinion, unwise, on