Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-07-15
LOO u ExERCISE.

The American people are ardent and en-
thuzisstic in their temperaments, and it ia not
surprising that they indulge in excuses in
everything they undertake. They swing from
one extreme to the other. Only a few years
ago our people were disposed to lead a sort
Of vegetarian lie like hat OF the patrisrchs of
the primevsl and nomadic days. They seldom
engaged in excitements, and were disposed to
bask In the sun like lizards. The young men
Of the country were indolent and inactive,
anu regarded exercises which brought sweat
and fatigue as lowering their dignity to that
OF a day laborer. But now the pendulum
has swung TO the opposite extreme, and ex-
cessive exercise seems to be more fatal than
slothfulness, for those who pracliced a bucolic
life live TO a remarkable old axe. A nom ad
never died in tent from mere lsziness, and OF
late years many athletes have died from an
excess OF exercise. A gentleman who en-
couraged a young friend of his to take
more physical exercise TO expand his
chest and develop his muscle, in a
fl of remorse published a letter in the New
York Times giving the unfortunate results OF
his advice. He induced his young friend to
read Blskie's book of irstruction, HoW 10 Get
Strong. THE young man was about twenty
SIX years Of ag' tall and slender. He was in
perfect health, but not robust. His chest Was
fiat and narrow, and his muscles undevel-
oped and hAccid. He set TO work alter read.
ing Biakie'- instructions, to become strong
and robust. He began first with three pound
dumb bells, using them every morning., aud
taking II walk of two or three miles later in
the day his muscles soor showed improve
ment, bis appetite Incl esssd and he was
doing himself apparently great good. After
a few weeks he increased the size of his
dumb-bells to five pounds, and heightened
his walks 10 -four miles a day, with very ar
parent good effects, and then, anxious
10 expand his chest by other exercise
having more direct effect upon it, he
tool; TO rowing on the Harlem river,
every morning taking a pleasant pull at the
oars. His fare was plain and simple: A
cup OF coffee and some biscuit before start
ing, and after his squatic constitutional a
substantial meal. He YVES coon The picture
OF robust hesltb, brown as a berry, with
knots Of muscles on his arms and splendid
muscles on the backs of his shoulders. BIS
sleep was sound, his digestion excellent, BIS
appetite ravenous. Thus he continued grei
ing robust for two or three months, and b.
became the envy of his fellows. Every dsy
he took a cold shower-bsth, followed by bril- k
abrasion of the skin with a aesh-brush. Ga
days when be could not row he walked 10
the moderate extent Of FIVE miles. He was
comparatively moderate in exercise with Il r
oars. He was temperate in all things and N
splendid spirits, mental and physical. So
far the experiment was a great succei
Early in September, however, a small so q
like a pimple appeared on one of his shou!
defs, and his right wrist became stiff n e
slightly swollen. The core refused to hes
and the Stiffness of the wrist increased ii
ne had to give up rowing. From
thst time he began to run down
Headache, soreness, swelled ankles al Il
wrists, and general symptoms Of debi
ity Set in, aud before December he seemed Is
be thoroughly FUSED up" Then it "
Ihought best to consult a physician, and OIL
Of the most eminent in New York was call, q
in. He was thoroughly examined. IT,
heart and lungp, kidneys and liver were pr
nosnced sound. He was simply run dow II
and needed rest. The physician prescribed a
tonic, plenty of substantial, nourishing food,
and all the sleep possible, and under this
regimen the young man is slowly recovering
the vitality he lost during the summer when
he thought he was putting new life and
strength into himself. The physician wle
had him in charge said he had OF his visi;-
ing list a large number Of young men who
had been leaders 10 collegiate athletic sports,
and who had used themselves up
physically, some of them beyond re-
covery. If they live they will be
prematurely old men. Too much ex-
ercise ia as bad as no exercise, if not
worse. Just where the golden mean is, must
be determined by individual experience.
Perhaps the tIme to quit is Just when one
feels the first symptom Of fatigue or weari-
ness. We have long been convinced that the
mania for athletic exercise among collegians
and members Of gymnasiums has resulted in
more mischief than good. The spirit Of
emulation rapidly develops among young
people. To be able TO turn more somersaultp,
climb ropes, hang to bars, lift the body by
main force, or lift the most pounds; TO row,
walk or run the fastest, and to exceed in
other gymnsstic fests, becomes an absorbing
ambition, and the end is physical ruin. There
lie need Of constant restraint, and the incul-
cation Of moderation in all things, but these
admonitions are forgotten in the excitement
Of the moment. The mode Of living which