Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-01-29
Physical Exercises.


and is meant to characterize that phase OF
pietv which believes IN the best physical de-
vel1pment. Many men yet young can re-
member when, with some religionists Of the
strictcsr sect, manly sports and games test
ing ones strength and giving play to all
ones physical powers, were condemned as
devices of the evil one; and it is not long
since the siekly and weak boy, being consid-
cred good for nothing else, was of all the fam
ily sent TO school and given an education. y
sound body has Of late years, however, been
considered as necessary to a sound mind, and
muscular education and muscular christiani-
ty are reckoncd not as evils but 4 reeog-
nitlon of the laws of our beings. Health
and vgor Of body are essential elements in
any perfect work whether Of mind or spirit
muscle, and the new gospel of physical
education Is taking its place one of the
recognized agcncIes in the salvation of the
world Gymnasiums are now an established
part of most academic and collegiate insti-
tutiJns, and thorough. systematic, and SCI
entIfc Development Of muscle has become
a necessary ingredient in every complete edu-
cation Numerous treatises on this subject
have been written and we have before us a
recent volume, produced by William Wood
and printed by the Harpers, which is enti-
tied Manual Of Physical Exercises, COM
prisins Gymnastics, Rowing, Skating, Fenc-
ing. Cricket, Calisthrnics, Sailing. SWIM
ming, Spqrring, and Base Ball" The vol
umc also contains rules for training, and
.anitary suggestions 1t is illustrated by
I25 cngrayings, and as the au thor has be, n
for many yeirs teacher of gymnastics its
themes have been tested by practice. We
copy
RULvs FOR PRESERVING THE HEALTH
Frs Maintain habitual cheerlulness and
composure of mind, which can arise only
from peace Of conscience, constant reliance
on tile goodness Of God, and exercise OF
kindly feelings towards men. Peace of mind
IS as essential u health it is to happi-
ness.
Sec0nd.-Breathe as much possible the
clear AIR that is perccptlby in motion, and
conveys 10 You tie idea Of freshness and
purify; that is accessible to the sun, or
would be were the sun shining Breathe
deeply and quickly. just previous to a
great momentIrIlv muscular exertion, breatb
slowly and slightly. avoiding any unneces-
sary excrtion while passing through an i'm
pure atmosphere. but the moment You enter
a pure one, then breathe fully, deeply and
quickly, unit you have indemnihed your
self for tile dlmage you have just previously
sustained. Breathe usually with the IN ,utt
closed. head up, chest out and shoulders
square
THird.-Keep a strict controll over the ap-
petite and t.as.IIns. WI b fixed adherence
of all excess and all unlawful qualification
whatsoever The person who would enjoy
good health must be temperate in all things,
and habituallv exercise the most rigid -elf-gos
crnment. for every sort Of vicious indulgence
Is highly injurious t. health first, directly,
in it, Immediate effects on the body, and
next, Indirect y. IN the perpetual dissatis-
faction of mind which it invariably occasions
F0Drfh Sleep above the earth not Ics
than five fee and above the fl JOr not less
than eighteen inches, IN a room or place
where the sun and air may freely and abund
antly enter. y good hair mattress is the
healthie-t bed that one can sleep upon. Keep
the face uncovered and the head slightly ele-
waited. the mouth closed. One window may
be "a little drawn down from the top to adj
mt the air.
Fifth Rise early; and in order t. do
this eat a very light supper, and 20 early to
spent in agreeable relaxation, or in such eX-
ercises as only tend to comp se the mind and
promote inward peace and cheerfulness.
>,rfh.-Be careful Of the skin. This is
highly org nizcd membrane, full of minute
pores, cells, blood vessels aed nerves. 1t i'm
bibes moisture or throws 1t off, according L
the state of the atmosphere and the temper
ature of the bIdy; IL also 6reathes, d. the
lungs. though less actively. All the inter
rrt r.. Il
Serenih.-UbServc simplicity, moderation,
and regularity with respect 10 diet Make
a judIcious selection Of the articles of food,
carefully AZ JiiIn5 uuwhJle-One dainties and
whatever has proved Lurtful To the cDnstItu-
ton. The quantity of food should be pro-
pprtiDncd t. the amount of exercise a person
undergtes S-Ientarv people sIould he rath-
sr abstcmIous. Their ioOd should be nutri-
tIOus, easy Of digestion, and moderate IN
quantity Seldom eat anything between the
regular meals Strong drinks, tobacco,
snuff, opium, and all mere indulgencies
should he avoided
EIyhfh.- Refrain from both mental and
bodily exertion for short time after the
princIptl meal. III immediate exertiOn be
required, a slight repaSt should be taken in
ste,d OF tic usual meal. Never eat full
meal when the body il heated by exercise.
Wait until You are somewhat refreshed By a
sh 'rt interval of rcpoee. Drinking cold
water when the body l. hot. and hot tea and
soups wueh cpld, are productive of many
evils.
Niaih- Be sptring in the use Of wine and
other stIiuula /. Trey may soTn"times lie
empl1yeI to advan age in cases of extreme
debility or extraordinary labor; but under
any cIrcums anccs, if too freely or too fire.
quenry INDUCED in they viii most certainly
impair your health and shorten your lie
Tnfh h.-Take your meals with much
quiet and cjmlort as p.ssible Bustle, We
hcment discussion, bad news, di agreeable
companions. and all vexatious excitement
should be excluded at neaI-timts.
Eierenfh.- Eat very slowly with view to
the thorough mastication Of your food
RATHER iOtegj meal or take but half the
ne'diul quantity than cat too fast
Ti1eLffh.- Practice occasional abstinence
Whenever the system il feeble or disordered,
diminish the quantity of food, and allow
yourself more time for exercise. In cases of
slight indi position. partial or total fast
will often be found the best restorative.
Thirfeenfh.-Take no medicine unless it
be absolutely necessary. Learn if possible
TO keep well without it. In case Of real
indisp"sition, consult a competent medical
adviser without delay, and mplicitly attend
N his die, ctious Never risk your health and
life either by neglecting serious Illness or by
tampering with quack remedies.
FOuTfee"ih--Practice general ablution as
often as twice each week, or wash the body
every other morning with cold water by
means OF a sponge, and rub it dry with a
rough towel, scrub the whole body for
ten minutes with flesh brushes.
fJfeeHh.-Gentlc or light gymnastic ex-
ercise should be taken regularly at least