Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-08-27
The art of Preserving Health.

Exercise sharpens the appetite and
increases the power OF digestion. These
are very important results. In most
cases where the digestive function has
become impaired, from any cause, sys-
telnatic and judiciOus exercise is a far
better remedy than" patent medicine. "
say judicious exercise. 1t may do
more harm than COOL, if taken at i'm
proper times, or lmmoderatcly. Inl-
mediate exertion after full meal is
luxurious. The nervous force which is
concentrated upon the stomach for the
digestion of the new installment of
food must not be Withdrawn to the
muscles at this important period. Rest
for while after dinner is required, and
little quiet before the meal is also
serviceable.
Exercise drives the blood to the sur
face, and favorably affects the skin. Its
pores are opened, aud the rapidly ac-
cumulated heat passes off through per-
spiration. No amount of cold can pre-
vent the outward passage of fluid, and
hence there is no danger of chills dur
ing active exercise. The danger is
great, however, when the exercise is
over, unless extra clothing is put on, to
prevent the escape of too much animal
heat, and equalize the temperature.
Like eating and sleeping, exercise
should become regular and persistent
every day of life. The amount of dai.
ly exercise necessary in the open air,
depends somewhat upon the circum-
stances OF the person, and the kind of
exercise sought. As far as possible,
the kind of exercise should be INDUCED
in which is the most attractive and en-
jOyable, as this adds much to its health
giving power. Exercise is liable to be
either excessive or insufficient. Proper
exercise tends to increase the muscles
in size, hardness and elasticity; but if
excessive it tends to loss of power and
waste of tissue. The tired muscle
must have rest to retain its full size
and vigor.
constant activity of the involuntary
muscles? How can the heart beat all
the time, night and day, for eighty
years, while the arm can swing only
half of each twenty four hours? These
q aestions are asked sometimes from
misrepresentation. The fact is, the
human heart beats only half the time.
Its action is intermittent, one part rest
ing while the other part cheats" So
the law which requires rest for the
muscles, as we'll as activity, IS fulfilled.
Excessive exercise is especially dan.
gerous in childhood. Then the bones
are incomplete AID the muscles unde-
veloped, and over exertion is liable to
entail permanent injury. While this
is true of exertion, 1t is as true that
there is no other means of ply steal
development but exercise. Inaction is
rs really dangerous as excessive activ-
ity. The amount OF injury produced
in this way depends upon circumstances.
Tbs indolent had better eat moderately,
but even then there is loss OF vitality
and arrangement of the functions of
life. Hence deficiency of exercise tends
to engender disease and shorten life.
have attempted to show that exer-
else is essential for health. and want
of it a fruitful source of sickness.
Hence it must follow that in many cases
the only means of regaining lost health
is to resort 10 suitable exercise. The
movement cure, free gymnastics, and
riding and walking in the open air, are
far more hopeful remedies than drugs
and medicines.