Attention.--The body is to be erect, the heels close together, and the
hands hanging down on each side. First Extension motion.--This serves
as a caution, and the motions tend to expand the chest, raise the head,
throw back the shoulders, and strengthen the muscles of the back.
One--Bring the hands and arms to the front, the fingers lightly
touching at the points, and the nails downwards; then raise them in a
circular direction well above the head, the ends of the fingers still
touching, the thumbs pointing to the rear, the elbows pressed back, and
shoulders kept down. (Plate I. fig. 2.)
Two--Separate and extend the arms and fingers, forcing them obliquely
back, till they come extended on a line with the shoulders; and as
they fall gradually from thence to the original position of Attention,
endeavour, as much as possible, to elevate the neck and chest. These
two motions should be frequently practised, with the head turned as
much as possible to the right or left, and the body kept square to the
front: this tends very materially to supple the neck, &c.
Three--Turn the palms of the hands to the front, pressing back the
thumbs with the arms extended, and raise them to the rear, till they
meet above the head; the fingers pointing upwards, with the ends of the
thumbs touching.
Four--Keep the arms and knees straight, and bend over from the hips
till the hands touch the feet, the head being brought down in the same
direction. (Plate I. fig. 3.)
Five--With the arms flexible and easy from the shoulders, raise the
body gradually, so as to resume the position of Attention. The whole
should be done very gradually, so as to feel the exertion of the
muscles throughout. To these extension motions, drill-sergeants, in
their instructions, add the following:
One--the forearms are bent upon the arms upward and toward the
body, having the elbows depressed, the shut hands touching on the
little-finger sides, and the knuckles upward, the latter being raised
as high as the chin, and at the distance of about a foot before it.
(Plate I. fig. 4.)
Two--While the arms are thrown forcibly backward, the fore-arms are as
much as possible bent upon the arms, and the palmar sides of the wrists
are turned forward and outward (Plate I. fig. 5.) The two motions are
to be repeatedly and rather quickly performed. A modification of the
same movement is performed as a separate extension motion, but may be
given in continuation, with the numbers following these, as words of
command.
Three--The arms are extended at full length in front, on a level with
the shoulder, the palms of the hands in contact. (Plate I. fig. 6.)
Four--Thus extended, and the palms retaining their vertical position,
the arms are thrown forcibly backward, so that the backs of the hands
may approach each other as nearly as possible. These motions, also,
are to be repeatedly and rather quickly performed. Another extension
motion, similarly added, consists in swinging the right arm in a
circle, in which, beginning from the pendent position, the arm is
carried upward in front, by the side of the head, and downward behind,
the object being in the latter part of this course to throw it as
directly backward as possible. The same is then done with the left
arm. Lastly, both arms are thus exercised together. These motions are
performed quickly.