Callewaert, H. Physiologie De L'ecriture Cursive. ( L'Edition Universelle, Bruxelles, 1937).

Careful observations, aided by cinematography, have led the author to definite conclusions regarding the physiologically best technique of handwriting. He found that cursive writing demands only two basic functions: the “inscriptive function” of the thumb, index and middle fingers, which traces the loops, and the “cursive function” connecting the loops which is based on the rotation of the forearm around the axis of the fixated upper arm. The anatomical separation of the muscle groups participating in these two functions favors their coordination without mutual interference. The description of the many existing deviations from this physiological technique provides a valuable contribution towards the therapy of functional disturbances of handwriting. The prophylactic suggestions of the author deserves particular attention, namely that the letter forms of the school copy are rather unimportant, whereas children should learn to exercise already in Kindergarten the coordination of the “inscriptive” and the “cursive” functions in the simple form of straight horizontal lines interspread with loops. The author concludes with a few pages of critical remarks against graphology and the suggestion that the relationship between handwriting and somatic constitution should be studied. This has been done quite extensively for the past 10 years by the Kretschmer school and others.