Croonian Lecture. — Animal posture.

Abstract

Every movement starts from and ends in some posture, so that I think a discussion of “Animal Posture” falls well within the scope of the intention of Dr. William Croone, when he founded these annual Lectures to promote the study of “Muscular Motion.” Before beginning I wish to emphasise how greatly I appreciate the honour of delivering before you this Lecture, and how I especially enjoy the pleasure of doing so with Sir Charles Sherrington in the Chair, who long ago took the trouble to introduce me to his beautiful methods of investigating the central nervous system, and to allow me an insight into his fruitful views on the function of nervous centres. As it is impossible to consider the whole problem of posture in one short lecture, I propose to speak to you to-day on four partial problem.5, which are closely connected with each other, and which provided the starting points for investigations which have been carried out in my laboratory at Utrecht, with the aid of a great number of able collaborators. These partial problems are :— 1. Reflex standing . —In order to carry the weight of the body against the action of gravity, it is necessary that a certain set of muscles, the “standing muscles,” should have by reflex action a certain degree of enduring tone, to prevent the body from falling down on the ground.