The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-07-19
:Me0tcal, arts. sc.
From the Boston Medical Intelligencer.
on RUNNING.

Wv aOSNstIyNG.
There are few general directions Civ
en- by physicians, which are so common
iy misunderstood, and imperfectly fol-
lowed, as the injunction TO take free ex-
eTcise--to walk oct daily, and 10 allow
no state Of the weather TO interrupt the
regularity of this exercise. 1t IS not
the mere circumstance Of walking which
can give any vigor to the frame, or
strength to the digestive functions.
Walking is the means of effecting GER
lses une general benefits OF exercise
1t is by This means we wish to quicken
and invigorate the circulation, and give
action 10 the functions Of the skin--to
give a start 10 the blood, and produce a
general perspiration. These two pur-
poses effected, the digestion is improv-
ed, the bowels kept in order the eqniIi-
brium of the circulation preserved, the
mind inyigoyated, and all the powers of
the system strengthened;- general
health, therefore, is the consequence,
and, without those effects of walking,
the general health wilt decline.
Now in ninety-nine cases in an hun
dred--we speak far within bounds
walking is SO conducted as not to give a
start TO the blood or produce general
perspiration. In just this proportion OF
cases, therefore, it is useless-nay,
worse than useless; it induces fatigue,
and not vigor, and persons tell US they
''loh't see that exercise does them any
good.'' Why, they don't take any ez-
ercise. They draw one leg after anoth-
err, il is true, and this they do perhaps
for hall an hour, or until they can scarce
draw it any longer. But this is moi
what physicians mean by stalking; 1t is
technical term when employed in a
prescription, and must be understood
before il can be followed. BY walking,
we mean quick, active exercise OF the
locomotive organs, continued for some
time, performed in open air, and so con
Quoted as to induce general glow and
moisture upon the surface. Ii persons
would remember this, they would see
how ra-,orfuI an instrument is walking
in the preservation as well as the res
toraiion OF health.
We often see men looking pale ant
sickly, carefully guarded from the air
Gre ping along our streets with veal
and tardy step, and we always pity sucl
men. They are undoubtedly follow
ing, as they think, the prescription
their physician, who has recommends
walking. But, they have misunderstood
his meaning and, although they get b,
/, their walk the benefit OF the air, the.
/ return languid and iatigued. Let sue
f step as quickly as they can lei thet
make an exeriion to walk as fast +;
!. their strength will allow, and if yer
4 weak lei them walk six rods instead
creeping half mile, and they will fe'
r refreshed. Precipitation is wore read
. Is induced in proportion TO debility, an
d therefore, all its bene6ts may be game
with comparative ease by the enfe
n, bled.
n. AS a general custom, lettering
IN walking slow is injurious, inasmuch
it deprlves individuals of the priyiles
es which ought to be neglected by no on
n Ii is a general custom in Europe for sc
n. tlemen TO run through the Streets
ed This is an admirable custom, and me