Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1860-08-23
Physical Education.
THE STRONG MAN, AND now HE BECAME

III physician SelI-eOucatlOns ne Is DuL ABOUT
twenty-six years old, five feet seven inches in
height. and weighs one hundred and forty-eight
pounds. He can lift eIeuen hundred pounds,
and is now the best example of physical edu-
cation in the United States. He was seven
teen years of age before he began his expert.
ments, 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 dyspeptical troubles of American youth.
So great have been his improvements, that he
now declares it 10 be his opinion that no one
having an "aiora of strength and life" need
dispair of the benefits of a right system of
training. He instances DR.. Warren's testmo-
ny respecting veteran invalid, who began
gymnastics in his seventeenth year, with very
salutary effects; and, of course, old Cornaro
famous in Addison's SPECTATOR is not forgot
ten, who, though no gymnast, began in his
fortieth year to restore broken constitution,
and lived a life of health and of enviabe cheer
fulness till his hundredth year.
Bot what has been the eficacious theory of
the strong Yankee! He has given it in the
Massachusetts, Teacher, but, unfortunately, in
an article of too great length TO be read much.
We propose to take unusual liberties with his
communication, in order to condense into a
more readable shape, his interesting details.
They are the best prescriptions we have ever
met for physical selErecup eralion; and, in this
day, when muscular" merit has become a
matter Of special ambition, and physical train
ing subject Of even moral preachments, it
may not be Improbable TO present to the pub
lie an example, which, from both its moderate
good sense and its extraordiary results, may be
proSounced a model one.
How, then, has the Yankee doctor surpassed
AZ he W.
enumerate, at much length, the principles of
his system. We give the most essential par
ticulars presenting them, however, with our
own enumeration
/. He has breathed an abundance of fresh
air "almOst constantly practising, we sup
pose, initiation of the lungs ~
2. He has drank no ardent spirits, and used
no tobacco. The English "training" for the
ring" it is we'll known, prohibits these ar
ticles. a
8. He has taken, nearly every day, about a
half hours gymnastic exercise, in the open
air, and his is an example of the surprising
moderation with which he has accomplished
surprising results.
A. lie has eaten heartily of such food, ami
NAL and vegetable, as agreed with his stomach
scouting the maxim that "you should leave
the table hungry" He began not to recoyeI
from his dyspepsia till he escaped this non.
sense.
81 He has taken at least ten hours rest daily
including sleep, and appears to have devoted
as much oft to sleep as nature would allow.
6. He has worn every article of his dress as
loose and as easy 40 the freest action OF his
muscles and limbs would demand.
| Z. lie has used the bath once week IN win
ter, and twice q week in summer. He denoun.
ces 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, il not disco
veres. Here are few Of them:
/. That iii as easy to increase the strength
of the human body as it is that of magnetic.
2. That whatever increased his strength
increased his general health. He enjoys nov
the maximum of the latter as he does of thu
former-for his force is now equal to that o
two ordinary men.
3. That by developing his body harmonious
ly, he could preclude the possibility of hernia
or any similar injury, that otherwise might re
suit from an extremely violent exercise OF th'
muscles.
A. That lifting is the safest and surest meth
cd of procuring harmonious development
as also the most strengthening OF all exercise
, "a fact not generally supposed.
g. That the performance of twenty diteren
gymnastic feats once, is better that the per
Torrance Of one feat twenty times.
6. That he gained more by forty minute
exercise once in two days, than by twenty min
utes once day.
Z. Twenty or fifteen minutes gymnastic
sufficed for each day.
8. That as strength increases more lntens
. but less protracled exercise should be the rule
8. That increase of muscular power is after
ded with proportionate increase OF dlgestv
y power. a ifras
10. That great physical strength may b
acquired independently of hereditary tendenc
: to lt--and, in deed, in spite OF hereditary veal
: ness OF constitution. }es
= IL. That increased strength cannot Ion
continue on purely vegetable diet.
i IL. That increasing strength makes excr'
: ton take place less by the skin, and more
" the lungs and other emunct0ries.
13. That long before he could raise eieve
n hundred pounds with the hands, or shoulder
: barrel of -four, he had put to flight the who
brood ofailrnents--sick headache, nervousness
/, indigestion, etc., which are the familiar con
. panions ofAmercan health, or rather i'll healt
. . The Sampsonian doctor proceeds 70 give son
4. very iudicious rules, deduced from his exper
- ence. for all aspiranis 10 good health and mai
q " vigor. lie advises that:
. /. You should select for your sleeping roo
;. an apartment on ihsi. sunny side" and let Il
d sun play into il al least six hours day, if Il
n clouds will allow him to show his face.
2. Keep it ventilated all The time, and esp
cially keep the windows partially open at nigh
! but avoid drafts.
: 3 Practice general ablution once week
= cold weather, TWICE week 10 warm. ~
!. much bathing, he asserts, "deteals every i
= tention for which water is externally applied
y A. Take not less than eight, hours rest p
Il day.
:, 5. Uuse no food which has been prepared
ts copper, brass or bell metal utensil. Use
= water that has come 10 contact with lead.
~ 6. Uuse such food aF your appetite prefer
q. in spite of Leibig or any other authority.
of a Practice Lifting ss the best OF gymnastic
but begin cautiously, and be careful pt too mu