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LONDON: N. TR?BNER & CO., 60, PATERNOSTER ROW.

JACKSON'S

GYMNASTICS FOR THE FINGERS AND WRIST,

BEING

A SYSTEM OF GYMNASTICS,

BASED ON ANATOMICAL PRINCIPLES,--FOR DEVELOPING AND STRENGTHENING THE MUSCLES OF THE HAND; FOR MUSICAL, MECHANICAL, AND MEDICAL PURPOSES.

With thirty-seven Diagrams.

LONDON: N. TR?BNER & CO., 60, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1865.

The whole of the Engravings contained in this work were executed for the author by Berndt, in Berlin, July, 1864.

The apparatus referred to in this work may be had, price 3s. 6d., of Messrs Metzler & Co., 36 to 38, Great Marlborough Street, W.

JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS.

PREFACE.

The subject of this little work develops, on anatomical and physiological principles, a system of Gymnastics for the Fingers and Wrist, the object of which is--, to lay a solid and scientific foundation for the acquisition of technical skill in the fingers and wrist, as applied to the playing on musical instruments and to finger-work generally.

For a detailed account of the circumstances under which this system was discovered, I refer to the Introductory Remarks, wherein I have explained the process of reasoning and the series of experiments, which enabled me to arrive at the results I have now the pleasure of submitting to the consideration of my countrymen; more especially to all those among them who are engaged in musical pursuits, or any other work requiring the constant use of the fingers.

I may simply state that both the scientific principles and the practical utility of this system of Gymnastics--, after having been subjected to the test of numerous experiments--, have met with the approval of the highest anatomical, musical, and gymnastic authorities of Germany; at whose special solicitation I was induced to make these discoveries known by means of public and private lectures--, delivered gratis in the German language in many German cities--, during a journey undertaken at my own expense, in the course of the summer of 1864.

And I indulge the hope that this little work may meet with the same approval from the medical, musical, and gymnastic authorities in this country, and be a means of practical utility among those for whom it is more particularly intended.

Therefore I venture to dedicate to the public--, "Gymnastics for the development of the Muscles, Ligaments, and Joints of the Fingers and Hand"--, specially adapted to

Musicians of all classes,

Authors, and all who are occupied much in writing,

Artists and Draughtsmen,

Printers and Compositors,

Lithographers and Engravers on steel and copper,

Workers in ivory and wood,

Watch-makers and fine Mechanicians.

Spinners and Weavers, for

All female handiwork, for

Surgical and anatomical processes, for the treatment of rheumatism, contortions, and other diseases of the Fingers and Hand,--and for

All those who require a flexible Hand, or who earn their bread with their Fingers.

EDWIN W. JACKSON.

PAGE

PREFACE.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ON THE ORIGIN OF THIS SYSTEM OF GYMNASTICS FOR THE FINGERS AND WRIST 1

CHAP.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

ON THE ORIGIN OF THIS SYSTEM OF GYMNASTICS FOR THE FINGERS AND WRIST.

If any one should desire to know how and in what manner I, as a private individual, came to hit upon these discoveries, I answer simply:

Six years ago I took my family, principally consisting of daughters, to Germany, to have them educated there, and especially to obtain for them good instruction in music. I soon found that the method of teaching the pianoforte then in general use was very fatiguing and trying to the nerves; at the same time, as Germany stands at the head of the musical world, that method, as a matter of course, must be considered the best which we at present know. In order to investigate that system more minutely, I visited several musical schools and conservatories for music in Germany, inquiring what was the very best method known for strengthening the fingers and wrist, for bringing them into order and preparing them to play the pianoforte? The answer I everywhere received was as follows: "The chief difficulties and impediments to be overcome in teaching the piano, the violin, and almost all other musical instruments, are muscular, and lie in the joints of the fingers and wrists; and the very best method of rendering them strong and flexible is frequently and perseveringly to move the fingers up and down on the instrument, preserving the hand in the same position. This movement, together with the usual finger-exercises, if continued for five or six years, and diligently carried out, is usually sufficient to render the joints and muscles of the fingers agile and flexible, and to bring the fingers generally into order."

I inquired further, "Are those exercises not very fatiguing?" to which I was answered, "They certainly are very trying to the muscles and nerves;" and whether "the health of the students, male and female, did not suffer thereby?" to which the reply was, that it did, and that, indeed, it was sometimes necessary for them to discontinue playing for some months; but then they added, "It must be remembered that learning to play the piano was in itself at all times attended with very considerable difficulties."

I then repaired to the most renowned gymnastic est

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