The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-03-30
TALKS ABOUT HEALTH.


else for twenty years. i have invent
ed a system OF gymnastics, which ha;
been introduced into most OF the
English gymnasia and was introduced
into the schools at Berlin few years
ago, with public ceremonies.
/ have been the recipient of honor
able testimonials from American Col
leges, many important educational
bodies, and from many sources II
England and Germany.
Please excuse this parade. My OBJ
iectin making these statements, is to
5 to give just emphasis 10 an opinion
: which wish now TO express 1t /;
( this-that acalhing, when properly
F., managed, is the best of all exercises
/ None OF The artificial exercises can be
compared with it. Every important
muscle works actively in walking =
{ Notice an active walker. See how
every part works-legs, hips. arms
siioulders-the man works all over
Brisk walking gives even the upper
half Of The body fipe play. Ther
Obliged to join class. and employ 8
teacher. Again, walking takes you
into the open air and sunshine, while
in gymnastics you are in the dusty at
mnsphere OF hall; and it is not 8
small advantage that in walking you
enjoy a succession of changing scenes
suggestions OF new thought. And
walking. with friend, the converse.
ton may be interesting and instructive
All this may be found in natural and
active walking.
But if the ankles were shackled, sc
that the feet could not be moved but
few inches, the great value of the
exercise would be at an end.
asked you to note the arms and
shoulders of an active walker. How
they swing and wiggle and wiggle-
kow thoroughly alive even the upper
half of the body is! The physiology
of that part of the body in walking is
this: The shoulders are sort of a
center for the muscles of the chest
They start from the shoulders and
spread out in every direction
over the chest, around, about, up,
down, crosswise, and interlscking
with each other in a wonderful net
these muscles which determine wheth-
er the chest shall be full, strong and
active, or thin, weak and Inactive
these muscles, about the chest, which
determine whether the vital organs
within the chest shall be large, active
and strong, or small, slow, and weak
these muscles WHICH may contribute
more than any others in the body, to
the strength and activity of life-these
muscles say, depend for their activity
for their development and strength
upon free and vigorous motion of
the shoulders. Brisk walking, with a
swinging of the arms, gives the re-
quired movement of the shoulders
Now we understand how it is that
active walking contributes so much to
the fullness and strength of the chest,
and the organs within the chest.
Please put your fingers down there,
and look out of this front window
with me. 1t is a bright day, aad the
ladies are out in force.
Now, let US notice how they walk
Why, they don't swing their arms at
all Their arms must be laced down
upon their sides! No, they are hold
ing their arms still, and see, they have
tucked their hands into those large
fur rollers which they carry on their
stomachs! Their arms look, for all
the world, Ike the wings of a Christ
mas turkey, all tied down, and ready
to put in the oven.
1t must be hard work to walk in
that way!
1t is very hard indeed, and you see
they have to walk very slowly, and
wiggle their hips.
What funny motion that wiggle is.
| should think fastidious people might
call it vulgar and immodest.
Oh, well. that depends upon the
fashion. That wiggle-waggle is all
the go now.
l should think it would lame them
across the back.
1t does there is not a lady in
twenty, who is not lame across the
small of the back. Let man wear a
shawl and hold it together in front
with his hands, and he will not walk
far before his back will ache. 1t is
hard strain upon the spine to walk
without swinging the arms.
American ladies have muscular legs
and hips; but look at their arms, (can-
die dips No. 81, their angular shoul-
ders, and their fiat, thin chest.
A large part of this ugliness and
weakness comes of carrying their
hands in mufs, or folded in front, or
under shawls--in brief, from not
swinging their arms in walking. Ah,
when those beautiful fur mittens and
gloves, which are now becoming fash
ionable, shall be generally introduced,
and our girls are able to walk off in
that brisk, bright way which we all
so admire, not only will their cheeks
take on a warmer hue, but their arms,
shoulders and chests, will become
plumper and finer; but better fitted
TO pei form the duties, and enter into
the pastimes and pleasures of life
From foods Household Mdgazine
for -Ndrch.