The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-08-27
Wisceiiapeous.
From me N. J: Times.
Heal,h and scienhtlo Ersroiaa

Health ana Scientific Exercise
Our knowledge Of the laws and princi-
pies of hygiene as regards dietetics, ven
tiiation and sanitary regulations, has not
yet been reduced to an acknowledged sci
ence. But most of all in what is called
Physical Culture, does ignorance prevail.
What is physical culture? What does
the advice. given to the weak or sedenta-
~, or the over studious, achieve, to take
exercise ?" What does that bold gener-
atty mean T? The patient might as well
be turned loose into druggists shop and
told to take medicine" The practical
operation of this ignorance is something
to this effect: An overworked merchant
or clerk finds his strength failing. He
has slight cough, pain in the side, and
so-forth. He takes advice. He is told
to "taka exercise" Believing that the
sole end o! exercise is to increase the mus
cuiar tissues, and that the more he exer-
ciseS the faster will 1t increase, he forces
his muscles and weaker nerves through
all sorts of hardships till he literally works
himself into the grave. True, he was
moderate :" but what is moderate p
Another, of different temperament and
disease, who would be benefited by what
killed the first, we suppose carries out the
prescription by extending his daily walk
3 little further than usual, and what is the
result? He gets no better, but worse, al
ready having too much of the mono.onous
exercise of walking. So, too, with girls
and young ladies growing up with fiabby
muscles, sunken chests and distorted
spines; they suppose their exercise of fol-
lowing the measured tread of some super
annuated dame for half mile day an
swers all the purposes of physical culture.
Again, what are the special needs Of diff
ferent classes Of the community in this re-
gard Surely the hard working me-
chanic, with his iron muscles, needs no
special effort to increase his muscular
power. But is he perfect man of the
type to be emulated ? And how should
his physical culture differ from that due
the MUSCLE wanting theological student ?
Civilization gives US certain advantages
by imposing upon us certain obligations.
We are constantly liable to seek the one
by neglecting the other. While we ac-
cept the advantages we must not over
look the evil tendencies Of civilized life
as exhibited in over-menta1 toll or bodily
inertia. We must make physical culture
Indispensable, but always variable, &C.
cOrding to the class or person requiring it.
On this subject there was delivered, few
evenings since, q lecture ct the Cooper
Institute, by Young physician Of this
city, DR.. CHARLES +. TAYLOR, which,
though intended to illustrate the treat
ment Of disease on strictly physiological
principles. may, if we mistake not, at the
ssme time give US the key to the.true
principles of physical culture; for, if his
doctrine be applied 70 the sick, why not
to the so-called we'll, as are we not all sick
Just IN proportion as we need physical cul-
ture and the point is to apply the cul-
ture in the direction of the need.
Mr. Taylor commenced BY saying that
the common impression that exercise af-
iecled only the muscular tissue, was en-
hrely wrong; for, as the muscles act only
under the stimulus Of the nerves, the lat
Ter hrst receive the impression of the will,
and consequently are really affected be-
lore the muscles are reached. IDjure the
nerve, as in paralysis, so that the will can
not reach the muscles, and the latter for
ever remain unmoved and thus waste
sway. Now, this joint action of the ner.
.ous and muscular system must be taken
into consideration in proposing any exer-
e'se Tor an invalid OF physically under
Toned person, for we have it in our power
80 to separate these manifestations thai
We need not employ both together, but
can use that which is most desirable in
any gwen case. Particularly, we find il
necessary, as disease is always attended
WIN debility Of the nervous system, tc
use such exercise as will accomplish the
most change in the muscles, while making
,ne m least dFaughts on the nervous system
M we nave an unerring rule to guide Us il
.n's respect. Rapid movements, imply
ing rapid will, exercise and therefore ex.
SAus principally the nervous system
Su' any the greatest amount of fatigu,
uoes not imply that there has been cor
iosPondlng change in the muscles. Fo
Example, person Ill Of chronic disease
Snsum ption-may be wholly incapable
III III taxing enough exercise to affect sensi
U,y tne muscles-that is, to cause then
ske up an increased amount OF nutri
az noo rom the blood but still, would no
" Ie eject Of exercise upon the muscles, Of
ue circulation, and the general nutrition
" just as desirable as though be wer
sole 70 obtain itF The patient has q Sc
nous nous disease of the lungs--with col
I1uds and feet, contracted chest and fee
o'e muscles. What shall be done ? ]
deslrable to make those muscles hur
~ Tor the blood which would be ser
..;s9 tls@ could they only be used. An