The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-30
Rnnninn ~ Exsreisa.

Fl Among the means which nature la
: bestowed on animals in general for tn
i preservation AID enjoyment of life. run
{ ming, saws Mercurialis, is the most i'm
portant. Since. then. it is pointed on
to us By nature, it must be in high de
gree innocent. Ii is very singular tia
/ we should apparently do all we can
r which fortunately, is not muc.l--to MAKE
our children unlearn the art of running
/ Our earliest physical treatment O
them seems calculated to destroy theii
aptitude for it; In little time, it is tor
often the case that the city boys scarcel,
dares look as if he wished to run, we
prohibit it SO strongly as vulgar. and
when he IS more grown up gentility
/ steps in and prohibits it altogether.
Medical prejudiees and our own con
| venience contribute likewise their share,
and never allow our children, boys and
girls, to acquire an art innocent of it
self and necessary to all. 1t is possible
that person may get injury from run
ming, but the fault is not in the exercise,
but in the person who runs without
having had proper training and prae-
| tice
| Negroes and Indians in a state of ma
ture run daily in pursuit of game for
| food with facility at which we are as
tonished, but they are not more liable
to consumption on this account than
are those beasts that are so famed for
swiftness. The body of no animal seems
better adapted to running than mans.
The nobler parts, which might be in
lured by an immoderate reflux of blood,
are uppermost, and the laws of CRAWL
tation assist in propelling the runner
forward. He has little to do but to
strengthen his limbs by practice and
concentrate his mind on the effort, and
there is nothing severe in this, as ex-
perience has shown. Indeed, running
may. be made very beneficial to the
lungs, and perhaps there is nothing bet
ter calculated to Strengthen these Or
gans, in those who are shortwiuded
than gradual. careful training in this
almost lost art. .'As soon as children
are expert in walking. turning. and the
like, " says the sagacious Frank, ''run-
ming races under proper. precautions is
an excellent exercise for them" The
principal objects of this exercise are to
Strengthen the limbs, develop the lungs,
exercise the will, and promote the cir
culation of the blood.
Running wassso highly esteemed by
the old Greeks. that Homer observed
that no man could acquire greater fame
tAoA W III hAo AGAhuSS ACCt,
and limbs; Plato recommends running,
not only to boys and girls, but to men;
Seneca, who expresses strong disappro-
baton of athletics, recommends running
to Lucilius for exercise hesfollowing
rules may be observed:
Running should only be practiced in
cool weather; as, for Instance, in the
late fall, winter, and early spring
months.
The clothing should be-light,sthe head
bare, and the neck uncovered As soon
as the exercise is finished, warm cloth
-ng should be put on and gentle sexer-
sgse continued for some siIIae =. :
as .!ss. az; q HEVs FACE course The
teacher of school may take his pupils
into the fields and find suitable grounds
for them. Then his pupils may exer-
else their bodies in other ways, acquire
strength, agility, health, and the capac-
ity of continued exertion; the will is
brought into play vigorously, which is
a great aid in the battle of life.
Care must be taken not to overdo,
and thus, perhaps for life, weaken or
injure the heart. The race, at first,
should be short and frequently repeat
ed, rather than long, and full speed |
should not be attempted for some time. |
Running IS well adapted to young |
and middle aged persons, but not. to |
those who are fat Sedentary persons |
may find great benefit in it after the
days work is ended. If they live in |
cities, a quiet spot in the park may be
and short trials adapted to the |
strength entered into. Invalids may |
10 the same thing, only they must be-
more carefuTthan the robust never to |
themselves.
Girls may run as well as bows, and,
While they cannot go so fast, they can
ace much more gracefully and beauti-
ully Indeed there can be few moro
attractive sights than that of a race be-
ween beautiful girls from ten to twelve
ears ofage. After puberty the change
n the formation of the bones of the pei
is in girls renders running less easy
nd graceful. In ancient Greece girls
we're trained to run races as well as
'oys, and TO their superb physical cul-*
ure was in great part due the grandeur
nd beauty of Greek life during the
ears of their ascendency. The modern
lyle of dress for girls after puberty is
tlso entirely unsuited to running
7er0fd OF Health