The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-03-31 00:00:00

THE AIM OF EXERCISE.

It should be understood by the public, as it is known
to the profession, that the aim of exercise is not solely
to work the organism which is thrown into activity,
though that is one, and a very important, part of the
object in view, because as the living body works it
feeds, and as it feeds it is replenished; but there
Is another purpose in exercise, and that is to call
Into action and stimulate the faculty of recuperation.
When a man goes into training, or, which is prac-
tically the same thing, when he habituates him-
self to the performance of special class of work, he
so developes this recuperative power or function
that the repair or replenishing necessary to restore the
integrity, and replace the strength of the tissue "used
up" in the exercise, is instantly performed. The dif-
ference between being accustomed to exercise and able
to work "without feeling it, and being barely able to
accomplish a special task, and having it taken out of
one by the exploit, whether mental or physical, is the
difference between possessing the power of rapid
repair by nutrition, and not having that power in
working order—so that some time must elapse before
recovery takes place, and during the interval there
will be ' fatigue " and more or less exhaustion.
The practical value of a recognition of this common-
place fact in physiology will be found in the guidance
it affords as to the best and most direct way of de-
veloping the power or faculty of recuperation by
exercise.
Many persons make the mistake of doing too much.
Exercise with a view to recuperation should never so
much exceed the capacity of the recuperative faculty
as to prostrate the nervous energy. The work done
ought not to produce any great seams of fatigue. If
"exhaustion " be experienced, the exercise has been
excessive in amount.
Thetbest plan to pursue is to begin with a very
moderate amount of work, Continued during a brief
period, and to make the length of the interval between
the cessation of exercise and the recovery of a feeling
of " freshness" the guide as to the increase of exercise.
We do not mean that false sense of revival which is
sometimes derived from the recourse .to stimulant.,
but genuine reccvery alter a brief period of rest and
the use of plain nutritious food. If this very simple
rule were carried jnto practice by those who debire
"to grow strong,"therewould helots disapirocrittnett
and a generally better result, than often attends the
endeavour to profit by exercise unintelligibly ern.
140y.c1,—Lanat.


FATAL ACCIDENT TO THE DOWAGER
VISCOUNTESS BARRINGTON.

In London, on Tuesday, at 20, Cavendish•square,
Dr. Wynn Westoott, deputy•coroner for Central
Middlesex, held an inquest touching the death of
Dowager Viscountess Jane Elizabeth Barrington, 78
years old, who resided at the above address.

The Hon. Mrs. Barrington deposed that the de-
ceased lady was her mother-in-law, On the previous
Wednesday night witness accompanied her upstairs,
when she was shoat to retire to rest. The deceased
was carrying a candle in her hand and a Prayer-book
under her arm ; and when she had her foot half-way
upon one of the steps she overbalanced herself and fell
backwards, her head striking the steps. She was at
once conveyed to her bedroom, and Dr. Brodie Sewell
was called in. She died on the following Friday. She
was the widow of William Keppel, Viscount Barring.
ton. Prior to the accident she enjoyed good health.

James Sharratt, butler at 20, Cavendlsh-square,
deposed to instantly going to the assistance of the
deceased lady, whom he found lying helpless upon the
staircase, and he assisted in removing her to her bed.
room.

Dr. Brodie Sewell stated that he found the deceased
sitting in her bedroom in an arm-chair. She was then
conscious, and was desirous of getting to bed. He
advised her to remain in the chair a little longer, and
then left the room. He was shortly afterwards re-
called, and her ladyship was then vomiting. She be-
came unconscious. Realizing the gravity of the case,
witness suggested that Sir JamesPagetshould meet him,
which he did immediately, and he continued to attend
her conjointly with the witness until she expired the fol.
lowing Friday. She never once regained conscious-
ness. Witness was of opinion that death resulted
from concussion of the brain, followed by cerebral
hemorrhage. The concussion was caused by the fall.
There was a swelling on the crown of the head, the
immediate effect of the blow the deceased sustained;
but the swelling disappeared after a few hours. Core-
bral bEemorrhage was very apt to succeed such a fall,
accompanied by vomiting.

- -
The -jury at once returned a verdict of "Accidental
death,"