The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-09-05
The Strong Man, and how he Became
Such.

y
counts of DR.. Winship, the 'strong Yam
kee's" experiments in physical self-edu-
cation. He is about twenty-six years old,
five feet seven inches in height, and
weighs one hundred and forty,eight lbs.
He can lift eleven hundred pounds, and is
now the best example of physical educa-
tion in the United States. He was seven
teen years of age before he began his
experiments, and was then but five feet
high, and weighed only one hundred
pounds; his health was not good, for he
already suffered from the usual dyspepti-
cal troubles of American youth. So great
have been his Improvements, that he now
declares it to be his opinion that no one
having "an atom of strength and life, !"
Ieed despair of the benefits of a right sys.
tenn of training He instances Mr.. War
ren's testimony respecting veteran inva-
lid, who began gymnastics in his SEVENTEEN
year, with very salutary effects; and, of
course, old Cornaro famous in Addison's
Spectator) is not forgotten, who. though
o gymnast, began in bis fortieth year to
restore broken constitution, and lived a
life of health and of enviable cheerfulness
till bis hundredth year
Bat what has been the efficacious theo-
ry of the strong Yankee? He has given
it in the Massachusetts Teacher. but, un
fortunately, in an article of too great
length to be read much. We propose to
take unusual liberties with his commonica-
in order to condense into a more reason
able shape. his interesting details. They
are the best prescriptions we have ever
met for physical selfrecuperation; and,
in this day, when muscular merit has be-
come matter of special ambition, and
physical training subject of even moral
preachments, it may not be Improbable
to present TO the public an example which,
from both its moderate good sense, and
it's extraordinary results, may be pronouu>
ced a model one.
How, then, has the Yankee doctor sur
passed all the pugilistic training of the
age? We enumerate, at much length, the
principles of his system. We give the
most essential particulars presenting them
however, with our own numeration:
He has breathed an abundance OF
fresh air almost constantly" practising,
we suppose, imitation of the lungs.
3. He has drank no ardent spirits, and
used no tobacco. The english straining'
for the sring," i: is well known, prohibits
these articles
8. He has taken, nearly every day
about half hours gymnastic exercise. in
the open air, and his is an example of the
surprising moderation with which be has
accomplished surprising results.
4. He has eaten heartily of such food
animal and vegetable, as agreed with hi:
stomach, scouting the maxim that "you
should leave the table hungry" He be.
gan not to recover from his dyspepsia till
he escaped this nonsense.
5. He has taken at least ten hours resi-
daily, including sleep, and appears to have
devoted as much of it to sleep as nature
would allow.
6. He has worn every article of his
dress as loose and as easy as the freest &C
tion of his muscles and limbs would de
mand
I. He has used the bath once a weel
in winter, and twice week in summer
He denounces the daily use of cold baths
He has pursued this course for nine
years, and it has during this long period
afforded him some important observations
if rot discoveries. Here are few o
them:
l. That it is as easy to increase tht
strength of the human body as it is tina
ola magnetic.
2. That whatever increased his strength
increased his general health. He enjoys
now the maximum of the latter as he pro
badly does the former-for his force il
now equal to that of two ordinary men.
8. That by developing his body har
moniously, he should preclude the posi-
biity of hernia, or any similar injury, tina
otherwise might result from an extremely
violent exercise of his muscles.
4. This lifting is the safest and sures
method of producing harmonious" de
velopement. as also the most strengthen
ing of all exercises fact not general,
supposed.
5. That the performance of twenty diff
ferent gymnastic feats once, is better thai
the performance of one feat twenty times
6. That he gained more by forty min
utes' exercise once in two days, than b.
twenty minutes once day.
Z. Twenty or fifteen minutes gymnas
tics sufficed for each day.
8. That as strength increases, more in
tense but less protracted rxercise shoult
be the rule.
8. That increase of muscular power i
attended with proportionate increase o
; digestive organs.
10. That great physical strength may b
acquired independently of hereditary ten
dency to it-and, indeed, in spite of here
ditary weakness of constitution.
, IL. That increased strength cannot Ion,
continue on purely venetable diet.
) H. That increasing the strength make
excretion take place less by the skin, an,
more by the lungs and other emuncto
, ries. a90