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

by Edwin Ward Jackson

With thirty-seven Diagrams.

LONDON:
N. TRÜBNER & CO., 60, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1865.
[Right of Translation reserved.]

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.

I gladly avail myself of this opportunity to return my best thanks to Professors Hyrtl, Virchow, Hermann Meyer, and Griesinger; to Drs Richter, C. C. Carus, J. V. Carus, Berend, and Angerstein; to Professors Moscheles, Kullak, Stern, Geyer, Kittl, Joachim, and Lauterbach; to Capellmeister Taubert, Ferdinand Hiller, Lachner, Strauss, Abenheim, Täglichsbeck, and Meyer; to Concertmeister F. Schubert, Carl Baermann, Scholtz, Singer, Grün, and many others whom space precludes me from mentioning here,—for the assistance they have given me, and for the kind and favourable reception which they, the press, and the public generally, gave to my lectures.

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.