The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1879-07-26
Exercise.



lar system requires to DO main
tanned by constant and regular
exercise. If all the muscles,
or those of any particular part, be
allowed to remain for q time I'M.
used, they diminish in size, grow
softer, and finally become sluggish
and debilitatcd. By use and oxer-
else, on the contrary, they maintain
their vigor, continue plump and
firm TO the touch, and retain the
character Of healthy organization.
It is very important, therefore, that
the muscles should be trained and
exercised by sufficient daily. use.
Too much confinement by scdenta-
ry occupation, study, or by simple
indulgence in indolent habits, will
certainly impair the strength ofthc
body and injuriously affect the
health. Every one who is in a
healthy condition, should provide
for the free use of the muscles by
at least two and 4 half hours of ex-
ercise each day. The exercise can
not be neglected with impunity
any more than the due provision of
clothing and food. The muscular
exercise Of the body, in order to
produce its proper effect, should be
regular and moderate in degree. 1t
will not do for any person to re-
main inactive during the greater
part Of the week, and then take an
excessive amount Of exercise on q
single day. An unnatural doiicien-
cy Of this kind cannot DO compen-
stated by an occasional excess. 1t
is only a uniform and healthy nc.
ton of the parts which stimulates
the muscles and provides for their
nourishment and strength and
growth. Exercise which is so vio-
lent and long continued as to pro-
ducc exhaustion or unnatural IA
tigue, is an injury instead ofan adj
vantage, and creates u waste and
expenditure of the muscular force,
instead Of its healthy exercise.
Walking is therefore one of the
most useful kinds of exercise, since
it calls into easy and moderate ac-
ton nearly all the muscles of the
body, and may be continued for n
long time without fatigue. Riding
on horseback is also exceedingly
cflicacious, and particularly rs it is
accompanied by certain amount
of excitement and interest which
acts as an agreeable and healthy
stimulus 10 the nervous system.
Running and lcaping being more
violent, should be used more spar.
ingly. For children the rapid and
continuous exercise which they
spontaneously take in their various
games and amuscmcnts in the open
air is the best, and the exact guam.
tity of exercise to be taken is pre-.
ciscly the same for different per.
sons, but should DO measured by
its effects. 1t is always beneficial
when it has fully employed the
muscular powers without produc-
ing any sense Of excessive fatigue
or exhaustion. It is to be rcmem-
bcrcd, also, that the object Of excr-
else is not mere acquisition or in
crease of muscular strength, but
tho proper maintenance of the gen.
eral health. A special increase Of
strength may DO produced 10 a
very great extent by tho constant
practice or training Of particular
muscles. Thus, the arms of n
blacksmith and the Flcgs of 4 dan
Ger become developed in excessive
proportions. By the continual
practice in n gymnasium Of raising
weights or carrying loads, the mus
cular system generally may be
greatly increased in force; but this
unnatural muscular dcvclopcment
is not necessary TO health, and is
not ever particularly beneficial TO
it. Tho best condition is that in
which all the different organs and
systems of the body have their full
and complete ieyclopment-no one
ofthcm prcpondcrating excessively
over the other. The most useful
kind Of exercise, accordingly, is
that which employs equally i'll the
limbs, and cultivatcs agility and
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