Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-09-07

Exercise.

Exercise, as necessary to the preserva-
ton of health, comes in as one of the san
itary axioms Nevertheless. there is
wide difference of opinion as to it. and as
to the means by which it is TO be secured.
We have the apparently contradictory fact
that 8. me persons are chemically seden-
tary in their habits and yet seem TO live
in the enjoyment of good health. 1t will
be found in this, as 10 many other matters
of self-care, that arbitrary rules are them
selves artificial and are only valuable to
those who accept them as congratulations,
and so as guide toward that which is cor
rect Those who live by rote, like those
who are polite only b. the book on Ell
quette are sure to make many failures.
There must be q recognition that waste
and repair is the order of vitality. and
that in it's regulation adapted exercise has
much to do. The person who is small
eater. q good sleeper. and who shows an
evenness of flesh and of health is often
able to maintain good heath With very
small amount of exercise. There are
others who never reach the point of pers'
piration without some great activity. or
whose insensible perspiratioh is defective
unless there is the putting forth of strength.
As rule. the most natural methods OF
exercise are the most valuable. At the
recent International Health Exhibition at
London, there was great display of all
forms of apparatus tor exercise. The
Swedish Ling Methods, the heavy Ger
man, the light French, and all the various
modes of manipulation were well illus
trated. The varied uses of athletics,
gymnastics, calisthenics, etc.. and their
relative applications could be we'll COM
pared. At conference held upon the
subject after there had been full discus
sion and presentation, Sir James Paget
forcibly presented the claims of the
more natural exercises. and of the robust
English games. Cricket. wicket. boat
ing, running, walking tennis. croquet, etc,
have each their great advantage. The
bicycle and tricycle. also come in for ap-
proval. Base ball. without its excess, has
also great value. All exercises may
we'll be divided into that which is general
and that which is special. The black
smith 8 arm of itself. shows how possible
it is to specialize development. Exercise
is frequently too much directed to the use
of particular sets OF muscles. while others
are left to care for themselves, or actually
to suffer from the disproportionate devel-
opment. We are glad that. as to modes
of muscular exercise, this is being made a
careful study. Professor Sergeant, of
Harvard, has introduced a method or Sc
riss OF training exercises just with view
to this symetrical development. He has
also planned special exercises to provide
for defects-as where the leg muscles are
very small or the chest fiat and lis muscu-
lar walls flabby. McLaren, in his excel
lent treaties, recognized what true exer-
else is, although SO much If his books is
devoted to Oxford sports that the readers
attention is too much fastened on boating
The observent person, who is not lazy and
is under self-cOntrol. will. with little in
struction, soon come to know the indica-
ton in his own particular case. One man
gets good exercise by walk which starts
the perspiration. yet does not fatigue.
Another needs the more general move
ment of horseback exercise. With others
bathing and the active after rubbing of the
skin is the only essential exercise. We
have known persons who, by an hour
spent each day in the bath room, secured
such exercise as to be sufficient. But u.s.
ually not one fourth of the time was spent
in the bath. The relative amount needed
day by day is much matter of judgment
and adjustment. One of the greatest mis-
takes often made is that of over fatigue
Independent