usually the hand of the physician.  The sick man, too weak for violent, voluntary effort, was stretched and champooed, the muscles of his trunk and limbs alternately flexed and extended by another person, until he gradually acquired strength to use active movements.  As he gained power, he increased the voluntary resistance which he made to the operator, and thus, at the same time, the amount of his own muscular exertion.  It is claimed that volition is thus called forth to neglected parts, and their innervation and vascularity increased; and that so at length the normal fulness of life and function is restored.  This system confines itself mostly to chronic diseases.  In the paralysis of the young, in defective volition from hysteria, in impaired local nutrition, in local deformities dependent on muscular contraction, and in lateral curvature of the spine, it unquestionably often produces the best results.  Its advocates claim for it much more.  On its further benefits we are unable to decide.  Like all things else, it is susceptible of abuse.

Russia and Prussia have adopted, to a limited extent, the Ling system of corporeal training and the “motor-cure.”  In London there exists an institution of this kind, and more recently one has been established by the Doctors Taylor in New York.  In a still less degree the Swedish gymnastics are used in some educational institutions here.

Ling died in 1839, in his seventy-third year.  Even on his death-bed he spoke till the last hour, and gave instructions in his favorite science.  His life is a remarkable instance of purity, energy, and devotion to a single end.

Meanwhile, what have modern nations done to atone for the neglect of the ancient gymnasium?  Germany, to some extent, has supplied its place with the Turnverein. Turnkunst, or the gymnastic art, is cultivated by a limited number of youth.  As we see the public exhibitions of the Turners in this country, they are as noted for their libations to Bacchus, and their sacrifices to the god of tobacco,—­a deity still wanting in the Pantheon,—­as for their culture and superiority in athletic sports.  Still they exert a wide, and, for the most part, a good influence.  Other continental nations of Europe furnish a large portion of their young men with the gymnastic element in the shape of military discipline and drill.  As affording the best examples of martial training, Prussia and France are to be signalized,—­the former for the universality, the latter for the kind of its instructions.

All young Prussians are liable to a call to actual service in the army for three years.  After this, if they do not continue members of the regular standing army, they remain until a certain age in that portion of the active force which is mustered and drilled every year.  Past the age referred to, they fall into the corps of reserve, a sort of National Guard of veterans, summoned to the field only in emergencies.