Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-11-08


have no hesitation in saving that four. .ffihs
of the indisposition which sedentary men
abour under, might be avoided by active
and abundant exercise in the open alr-and
that vast amount of suffering which fe.
males in the higher ranks ofliIc are called
to endure, might be saved to them by the
same course. And in particular, that this
is the case with all or the greater part OF
those harassing and indescrlbablc sensa-
tons concealed under the broad name of
dyspepsia.
The various processes connected with
the all-important functions of digestion cam
not be fully and properly performed, unless
the different organs be stimulated by daily
and active exercise. 1t is absolutely essen
tiol to health that ABSORPTION and secretion
should be constantly and actively in pro-
gress in our bodies; and exercise, by invi-
gorating and exciting the several vlscera
and parts concerned in those important ope.
rations of the animal economy, contributes
materially to the healthy tone and proper
condition of the whole system.
A deficiency of exercise on the o!her
hand, or too sedentary employment, dimln-
ishes the activity Of the circulation, and Of
course the vital heat, relaxes the muscles,
checks perspiration, gives rise to habltual
costiveness and to vast variety of distress
ing nervous affections. But not only is
health preserved and disease prevented by
irregular system of active exercise; our
strength is likewise much increased by this
means. This is perfectly evident from the
contrast presented by those whose occupa.
tons are ofan active kind, and which lead
them much into the open air, compared
with the sedentary and inactive. The for
mer are by far the strongest. as well as the
healthiest, members of the community. The
effect of exercise in increasing muscular
strength is likewise strikingIy manifested in
those parts of the body which are in mos
constant action, for they become full. thick
and strong. For example, the arms of the
blacksmith, the legs of runner, &C., being
more used than other parts of the body,
have their muscles much more fully devel-
oped and strengthened.
The effects ofexercise upon the mental
faculties are not less marked and beneficial
than upon the bodily powers. 1t conduces
to that clearness Misunderstanding, brilliancy
Of imagination, and elasticity of spirits,
which are so necessary 10 the full develope.
ment and sautary employment of the intel
lectual man. Indeed, the fact that health
is benefited by constant exercise, is suth.
cient to convince any one that it must be
of service to the exertion of the mind,
since this cannot be done to complete ad-
vantage without perfect health. Sickness
and suffering give rise to irritability of tenn
per and depression of spirits, which essen
italy interfere with and retard all active
mental exertion. Literary and sedentary
men are peculiarly liable to these mental
affections, and no doubt they arise more
from il-health, brought on by their want of
exercise, than from any peculiar original
temperament ofthis kind. For ali such diff
ficulties, exercise, persereringly and active
ly continued, is the only efficient remedy.
Medicine may at first give partial and tenn.
porary relief; but it will be found to be only
partial and temporary, for the disease will
soon return in an aggravated form, and
medicines of all kinds will serve onl y as pal
liativeS to the mischief.
A sedcntary and inactivelife gives rise
directly to several Of the most distressing
complaints to which humanity is liable !:
among these, may be reckoned scrotula,
digestion, obstinate headaches, laundlce
pulmonary consumption, curved spine,
and apoplexy. All, or nearly all, OF
these diseases will be found more fire.
quently among those who are confined
much within doors, as professional men and
various kinds of artifcers, and as shoema.
kers, morkmen in large manufactures, &C.
&C., than among farmers, carpenters, o,
bricklayers, who are employed principally
in the open air.
We have already spoken of the imPor'
tance orexercise in keeping up the iasen@'
We perspiration upon our bodies. Il may
not beknown to the unprotessional reader,tha
there is constantly exhaling from the body
when in health, perspiration (mPercep'l'
bic to our senses,) but still in such great
abundance as to amount to three or tou
pounds weight (equal to three or four plnts,
in "a hours. In fact, it appears, from Dr.
Robinson's experiments, that greater pro-
portion of excrementitious matter is thus
thrown off than in all other ways combined
But to keep up this perspiration in its full
natural extent, a considerable degree o.
active exercise is Indispensable; and, from
its great amount, we can readily conceive
the i'll effects which must result from 1t:
partial or total suppression. This is vel