Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-02
NO. 1O4.
Mistellameons.
AMERICAN PHYSIQUE.

iullness is everyday made apparent. No
person above the intellectual range of i'd
iocy can honestly deny. and from the Or
dinary observation of daily life around
us we are forced to admit that Americans,
as rule, have been and are paying fear
ful penalties for the injudicious style
of living which our forefathers fostered,
and we ourselves in great measure still
sustain.
All due credit may be given for American
gameness. On the points OF dash and
bravery. of fortitude and tenacity of
spirit, there is nothing more to be desired;
but in "beef,' if we may be pardoned
the use of slang expression, the force Of
which is an ample apology for its inele-
gance, the average American is sadly def
cient as compared with the robustness Of
the Anglo-Saxon, Teutonic, Slavic, and
other vigorous European races.
| Nor is our climate to be called in ques-
ton for the results which have developed
themselves; neither the progenitors from
whom our neighbors and ourselves are
sprung. for alike in the patrician blood Of
the cavaliers who settled the Carolinas and
Virginia, the stout Dutch burghers of the
Hudson, and the iron-clad forms of the
stern Puritans, were found an average
of physical strength, growth of frame
far superior to the present day; neither
those progenitors nor the mass of more
plebeian immigrants, who followed upon
their footsteps when the country became
more developed, were, in the originality
of their stock, the cause for that reduced
bodily vigor which undeniably stamps
their descendants. American pride may
rebel at the mere suggestion of present
degeneracy in general physique, but the
simple ignoring of such fact does not
dsprove its existence.
Concede the facts of good original stock
and healthy, vigorous climate; then de-
duce the present physical status.
Intelligent reflection denies that such
result is in accordance with the laws OF
nature when taken upon the isolated ba-
sis of the provisions already named in the
case. The want of logical sequence ar
CUES the existence of an influence not
mentioned in the statement of commence
ment and result; therefore between these
two extremes some intervening agency
must have been at work. No profound
depth of research is needed to tell US
what of and wherein this deleteriOus
agency is composed. An overtilled cotton
or tobacco field, worn-out farm or ex.
hausted vine will furnish good simile in
answer
The habit of cultivating the mind in ex-
cess of the body, the continuous strain of
mental exerton, the exhaustion of blood
demanded by the brain to repay the exer-
ton of fresh thought and ingenuity. when
every atom of excess beyond measure is
literally stolen away from the muscle
which it should otherwise help to create
and form. Habits of sedentary life too
frequent among the masses, and the con-
sequent languor in regard to active exer-
else. All these are the price paid for our
versatile genius, our great average intel
lectuality, the quickness of thought and
perception which have rendered our ma
tional characteristics famous.
| True, some of our athletes will ridicule
the points. mentioned; some of our young
men, aye, and older ones, too, will point
to their glorious muscular developments
in citation of our apparent falsity. To
them we would say, "Look about you.
Do many compare with you? Are you
exceptions ?" In answer to the last they
must say eyes" and the exception proves
the rule: Let it be understood. when we
speak of physical degcneracy, that it is in
no disparagement of the American nation,
but sorrowful acknowledgment of the
fearful price paid for its rapid strides in
advancement The curative process lies
in thorough alteration of habit, which
shall constitute not so much manual labor.
as it shall a change in muscular and men,
tai activity. The artisan who works with
in four walls all day long, though he
swings heavy sedge and has hardened
development of biceps, if he read and
think much, as is too often the case (re-
lerring to an excess of mental action), is
seldom thoroughly healthy man.
Assuming that much for his case. how
great must be the ratio for the broker or
merchant, the lawyer or literary man, the
closely confined clerk or the harassed
school teacher. Evening gymnastics have
been recommended, are extensively prac-
ticed, but their result is at best question
able.
An individual, we will say, has been
busy 'on the street. from nine o'clock
until four, working with that concentra-
ted energy of thought which New York
business men drive into all their pursuits.
Every flash OF idea through his mind.
each subtle process of brain work, have
drawn upon the life properties of his blood.
Feverish and exhausted, he repairs to the
gymnasium, after having partaken, per-
haps, of hearty meal, and there further
expends the vital force of his system in
working at what should be recreation.
Why is this so? Simply because he needs
fresh air and certain amount of calm.
unrestrained exposure to daylight.
Our argument is not against the gymna-
sium; on the contrary, its benefits, when
rightly applied. are inestimable; but 1t is
not the place for a fevered patient. who
only prostrates further his weakened sys-
| tem
Calm, unrestrained exposure" in the
sense here used, refers to mental condi-
ton. A man may run. jump. caper like q
schoolboy, shout if he pleases, yet In .
mental sense be entirely within the condi-
ton by our phraseology.
A change of habit among the masses Is
the prescription here sought to be recon-
mended-aihletic outdoor sports. running.
walking, riding, swimming. rowing-any-
thing in the clear untrammelled atmos-
phere. where some CLINT OF nature can
light the eye. soothe the imagination. lull
to sleep the feverish worryings Of the
| sha, a1ae ho