New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-26
g RODY-BUHDNGU

A wide field for young medical graduates lies in
making body building" speciality In study and
practice By bodybuilding" is meant the devel-
opment OF any part of the human frsmo which Is
Inherently weak. This can be done with as much
scientific accuracy by the proper selection OF the
modes of exercising the muscles OF the part OF the
body affected as disease can DO cured Dy the
proper application OF medicines designed 10 reacn
and heal the particular part of the system endan-
gersd. Physicians however, will answe that special
training In this direction is needed. II such special
lists existed they would bs frequently consulted by
physicians. Since Mr. Sargent was called to o
position ut Harvard there is not single profess
si0nal athlete in the City OF New-York to whom
reputable physicians could consclentiously refer
patients who require SPECIAL aud careful develop
ment~of any particular part of their systems.
Those who remain here in charge OF gymuasums
arc generally thought either to have some pet or
patent apparatus Of their own to popnlsIize, or
having charge Of an elaborate gymnasium ara too
apt to treat every conner rs pupil rather than
as a patient and telling him. There are The tools."
leave him to them without specific direction as
to how best to develop be weak spot in his frame
The increasing popularity of athletic exercise is
patent to every observer. Wrestling, boxing, BIZ
cycling walking. running aud swimming were
never so univs rsaly INDUCED in "a now and every
form of outdoor sport in which the strength or
agility OF the youth OF both is tested attracts
Gro sds of observers as we'll as Numerous partici-
pants. At tho same time it doubtful If ever the
indulgence in athletic exercise was 30 little d.
rected as at the present time. The selection of the
exercise is too often dictated By tho taste of tho H.
diyldual for a particular sport rather than by auY
stuly or knowledge of the part Of the body to be
built np In very few instances doos the doctor
dictate and il frequently happens that the exercise
chosen is calculated to develop part not requlr-
ing Improvement at tho expense of part already
too weak. From this instruction in training too
often follow the bad consequences attributed MIS-
takeny to over training"
That athletics have been brought so nearly to a
perfect science that any part OF the BODY may he
developed by appropriate exercise Is so generally
accepted by physicians that 10 Is idle to argue In
favor of the proposition. Rather let us urge the
need thore for the education OF physicians III this
speciality; and call attention 10 the importance OF
" body building" IN youth as preparation to a
long and useful life Special education IN physical
development ought to be made part OF the course
of every medical college, whether the student
poses 70 adopt IL not a special branch OF his
future practice And few minutes Of each day in
eyery public school ought to be devoted 10 the
training best adapted to the development Of partic
Mar parts of the childrens bodies. There would be
little difficulty In forming distinct classes each TO
take special exercise. Children of sunken chests
could 10 grouped into one class with exercises iu
tended to straghtsn them up. Those with
shrunkon calves thighs could DO placed in sep
arate class and q different training applied. II IS a
subject of such import that it Is to be hoped
the attention it is already commanding will result
IN some intelligent direction to the proposed study
and training at an early day.