Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-07-26
pnYs1cAL ouIruan.

A wise conclusion has been reached
in regard to the relative functions OF
mind and body. The fact has found it,
way into the convictions ofstudsnts and
business and professional men, that the
mind, in order to secure useful and
practical exercise, requires the aid OF
healthy body. Like all changes, this
has come about gradually, and is. in
great degree, the consequence OF cir
cumstances which would seem to have
little connection with the result at
tanned. The campaigning which, dur
ing the late civil war, took so many men
into the Geld, demonstrated the value Of
bone and muscle and endurance. The
military air and habits influenced ev-
srybody, and even American women dis
covered that they were capable Of physi-
cal labor, and are all the better for it.
The dandy Of twenty years ago has dis
appeared, and the costume Of mon and
women is more manly On the n sex,
and more sensible on the other. Men
have ceased to be mannikius, and wo-
men are no longer mere dolls. We hope
that the vagaries of fashion will not re.
iuAict upon US the male Maearoni and
the female Lydia Languish. Among
the few things which can be said in fa-
vor Of war, the physical culture which
it enforces is one. Warliks nations
have always bsen sturdy people, and the
problem is to retain this advantage in
time Of peace ; for however high We ssti'
mate physical development, WAT 10 toe
high a price to pay for il. Bodily sIsr'
else may be had on much more sensible
and Christian terms. A pamphlet re
Gently published BY DR.. Nathan Allen
one Of the Trustees of Amherst College
Massachusetts,, claims for that institu
ton a higher regard for the health ofit'
students than can DO claimed for any
other American college. The main agen'
for the promotion Of health is found
in the gymnasium, exercise in which i,
eIacted Of every student half an hour
daily. We believe that similar pro.
vision 10 made in nearly all our larg,
schools, but the students are permitted
not required, to mako use Of the gym
nasium. In the Pennsylvania Institute
for feeble.minded children the dumbbell
and other %gymnastic performances are,
however, as regularly gone through
with as any other of the exercises. The
poor imbeciles drill and move in unison,
aud soon come to enjoy the exercise
vastly. The effect upon their minds,
by strengthening their bodies, has beer
most marked and satisfactory.
When we rise above imbsciles, exer'
else for the sake Of exercise ceases te
be 80 useful. If the game Of calls
themes has the spur Of competition, II
is better. But exercise cannot usually
be taken like q medical potion with
much advantage. When We sec a dys'
psptic taking his I" constitutional walk
we have little faith in the benefit it will
confer. The true way to take e~Isrcis.
lis to do 40 as q means to some end
some other end than merely putting th.
muscle in motion for the sake Of thai
motion. Forget yourself, and walk tc
your place Of business, or to your ap.
pointment, or home to dinner. Walk,
not for tho object Of walking, but to do
your days work, and to reach the rest
you are entitled to after having done it,
Walk at any rate for some definite OBJ.
ject Of business or amusement, or diver,
yourself in the culture Of . lot Of
ground, or in the production Of some
mechanical or other result. But play.
ing work or playing walk, as you would
swallow a pill, will not uswer. Play
ball or cricket or anything else in
which you forget yourself; hunt, or fish,
or botanize. These will bs Of a positive
benefit, and will 500 do the good thai
" walking or the objsc. Of walking
never q accomplish.