A Practical Physiology by Albert F. Blaisdell
page 75 of 552 (13%)
page 75 of 552 (13%)
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resistance is the weight of the forearm at the other end.
Experiment 22. _To illustrate how the muscles use the bones as levers._ First, practice with a ruler, blackboard pointer, or any other convenient object, illustrating the different kinds of levers until the principles are familiar. Next, illustrate these principles on the person, by making use of convenient muscles. Thus, lift a book on the toes, by the fingers, on the back of the hand, by the mouth, and in other ways. These experiments, showing how the bones serve as levers, may be multiplied and varied as circumstances may require. 75. The Erect Position. The erect position is peculiar to man. No other animal naturally assumes it or is able to keep it long. It is the result of a somewhat complex arrangement of muscles which balance each other, some pulling backwards and some forwards. Although the whole skeleton is formed with reference to the erect position, yet this attitude is slowly learned in infancy. In the erect position the center of gravity lies in the joint between the sacrum and the last lumbar vertebra. A line dropped from this point would fall between the feet, just in front of the ankle joints. We rarely stand with the feet close together, because that basis of support is too small for a firm position. Hence, in all efforts requiring vigorous muscular movements the feet are kept more or less apart to enlarge the basis of support. Now, on account of the large number and flexibility of the joints, the body could not be kept in an upright position without the cooperation of |
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