The Evening critic., 1884-10-25
PHYSICAL EXRRCISE.
Professor Nissen's Interesting Talk
20 tho HIGH School PupLIs.

and ether physical instruction thai has re.
Gently become an important and benoncial
feature OF the school training:
III has taken moro thnn two thousand years
to give any practical efrect TO tho principles
Implied In tho dying words of tho great Greek
physician: 81 die contented, for leave behind
me three great pbysicIans--alr, wator aud OK
ercise." The revival OF gymnastics the syste-
matte application OF water as q healing and
inylgorating agent, the sanitary efforts with
regard TO drainage and ventilation, all date
from the first half OF this century, and seem
every year TO receive greater share OF public
attention, and the Intimate connection between
them is likewise more fully underst BOD.
But there is still great number OF persons
Who do not understand the word exercise. II
you speak to person OF the necessity OF exer.
csc, ne immediately associates tue word with
hard work, lifting heavy weights, profuso per-
EXPIRATION, or the performance OF some dinlcut
actobetic feat. This is not the Kind OF exor-
clse required by those who need exercise
most, but IL only suited for the athlete, tho
acrobat or those whose daily avocatlon Is
muscular aud not brain work. Those who re-
quifc exercise most are the brain worker, the
student, oil persons OF sedentlry habits, the
dren.
The beet Of exercise ia 10 eauallzs aud nc.
celeraie the circulation of the blood, aud Ia
crease tho respiration, thus promoting the
proper digestion and assimilation OF food. BY
equali2inR tho circulation, VIC establish u bal
anco Between the muscular and nervous sys-
TEN.
Tho blood will be directed to the part OF tho
body used most. II we use tho brain con-
stantly without corresponding muscular &C.
tioni the small blood vessels OF the brain be-
come unduly enlarged, tho hoad hot, the OK
iremiifes cold, showing that the brain is rob
Ding the other parts OF tho body OF their share
OF blood TO supply warmth aud nourishmont
Tor The musclee, nerves and other tissues By
accelerating the circulation the blood is urged
on toward tho heart and lungs and the supply
OF fresh blood Increased. Tho respiration Is
increased by exercise. This furnishes tho
oxygen TO destroy the waste material and
htnn1 EyaFrfQn a
tion by creating n demand in the muscles for
nouflshment. II Is plain that, unless this de-
mand be created, the stomach will soon be-
come overloaded and must be relieved by
other ard unnatural means, such as decay,
fermentation, medication, etc. Just In proper
tion ne tho demand is created In the muscles
for nourisbment, the ability OF the stomach
10 supply that demand Is increased.
by contracting and relaxing the muscles the
now OF blood Is accelerated. Are the muscles
contractedf The blood is pressed out OF them
on toward the heart and lungs: the valves In
the veins prevent Its return. When the mus
eles are relaxed fresh supply OF blood is nj
lowed to now Into them, thus mechanically
assisting the heart, and the 1ow OF blood In
every part OF the body.
rational use of physical exercise does not
imply an endeavor to perform an infinite mum.
Der OF movements, still less an attempt to per-
TOXIN all movements that lie within the reach
OF possibility. Tho human organism is lin
lied In Its action, as well on its physical as on
its mental side, and whatoGer goes beyond a
certain limit is Injurious to 1t. But each
movement should be performed with great &C.
curncy, and started from a ELECTROMAGNETIC
position. II must be we'll defined, not only as
10 form, but also as to the energy with which It
should be executed.
The movements must not produce oyor.
fatigue or aching OF the muscles. Tho maxim
10 which special homage is paid In America,
"lfa little does good more Will do more good"
IS an absolutely exploded theory; but so far
as we feel that the activity OF the life, which
is made greater by the movements, can keep
up with the nourlshment-with the change OF
matter OF the organism-we are sure to have
benefited our health by tho exercise. II we
pass this limit, tho contrary will DO the re-
suit. BY overriding OF tho muscles they Will
become sim and tight, sickly,. changed and
UNITED for their function. Instead OF I'm
proving the energy Of the life, you VIII sec a
retrogressfon, an exhaustion aud enervation.
The movements should be slow, because by
slow contraction the blood is more thoroughly
pressed out OF the muscles, and by slow re-
Taxation time 10 given for them t. MI up again.
Fu1ther, Glow movements are best. because
slow movements act upon tle muscles, quick
movements upon the nerves. ALI nervous per-
cons are quick In their movements. BY SLOW
deliberate movements In exercising you make
an impression upon the mind for slow move.
ments that after time become lasting.
III We perform the gymnastic exercise at the
sure by and n.y. whether II Is rue resal ns" sy 10
gienic exercise or special treatment by
movements, we must always remember that
bad as too little use OF them, aud that both
abuses tend to produce too carly old
age and death. The movements SHOULD bs
performed In well-ventlated room, not
within one and a-halt or two hours after a
full meal. 1t is most essential not 10 hold
ones breath during tho movements, but al.
dress for the exercise should be as light aud
loose as possible, and It 10 especially neces-
sary that ladies' should leave OF all tight
clothing. a
The Swedish system of physical exercise ia
calculated to give a full Development OF all
parts OF tho body, full command OF the
muscles, ana good discipline 10 the pupils
wlihout a. number OF apparatus or special
nall, but 1t is different from the so.called
"calisthenics" by Its much greater power and
erclse. 1t Is q variety OF more or less graceful
movements, which can please tho young ladies
for moment; but II does not give any devel.
opmaent OF me muscles or strength OF norves
good.
II seasonable diet be observed, appropriate
and water become q daily treat, the bodily as
well as mental powers will Increase and many
ailments will disappear.
Now I think is tho tImo to say word
relative to the education of girls Ono OF the
principal reasons why 30 many healthy girls
become invalid women is owing to tue mis-,
taken ideas ana restraint OF the mother.
while the girl ia young she romp5 and plays
ana tumbles about the floor without rostiaint,
and Is healthy. In most instances. much TO
coon, long dresses are put on, and then the
girl is put under double restraint, and OK
pected to at once become lady. Hampered
by her clothing, which prevents the free ac-
ton or tho muscles OF the body; or II she In
dulges In any childish plays, or is seen by
the mother In any but an upright position, she
is told that such conduct is not lady.lIlIe, and
only suitable for boys. She soon begins to
think ehe must not bend her body, and must
keep constantly In an upright position, except
when asleep.
The result OF this teaching is, the support, OF
the internal organs are weakened. The
muscles OF the back not being used, be-
come weak and relaxed and she stoop5 for
ward; Immediately stays arc provided 10 take
the place OF these muscles. The shoulders
begin TO droop forward; shoulder braces are
at once put on 10 supply tho place OF the
muscles provided by nature 10 hold them In
their proper position. Thus, relieved from
all action, they soon become relaxed and use
less. Thus nature is supplanted by art until
Inc poor girl becomes moro composition or
steel, whalebone and rubber than of muscle,
flesh and blood. by this Time her mental
education is finished, and tho proud mother
Is enabled TO Introduce TO the world an &C.
complished lady and at the same time
weak, dependent, invalid woman. How many
mothers are there who realize that It is their
duty 10 DO sufficiently informed t. instcuct
their daughters and tell them what exercise
and pastures they ought 10 take every day to
supply the place OF the many they took while
children at play. Is IL not time mothers bo.
gan 10 inform themselves upon this subject
and time for them to be guided by reason and
mot by custom or fashion.
II these mothers only knew how much benz
eft II would be TO them and how much suffer
Ing and humiliation II would save II they
properly understood these exercises and pos
tures, and would become the teachers OF thelr
daughters and set the example OF wearing no
form OF clothing that would In any way pre-
vent tue free action OF the muscles OF the
pooy, they would then DO enabled to intro
duce, In tho place of tho IDEAL accomplished
lady, the real woman, well educated, graceful,
sound In body ana mind, selfreliaut and we'll
prepared to share llfe's duties and struggles
Dl1nHnfNa.