Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-04-27
PHYSICAL STRAIN.
PERlLS RESULTING FROM EXCESS
OF BODILY ACTIVITY.

Nothing is moro absolutely necessary to
the well being of man-not only physical, but
mental and oven mOral-than tho bodily nc
tivty involved in a proper degree OF exercise.
But, on the other hand, uuduc strain pat
upon tho physical forces is a potent source of
danger. 1t is n case for the application of
tho lloratian maxim in regard to moderation,
Exactly to define the proper mean is an eX-
tremoy difficult task. We can, however,
o1cr me suggestions on this point that
may provo of use; and we will also touch
upon some of the rarils resulting from ex-
coss. The ancient Greeks have for many
centuries supplied the world, among other
! things, with models Of physical culture The
climate permitted thCm TO live largely lit the
open air; their dress was UNDERSTANDING, md
they paid great attention TO athletic sports
and the development and caro- of the body.
They were, as people, patterns OF manly
and womanly beauty; their average of health
was high, and their longevity good.
The observations made, however, by the
| physicians of the Greek and Roman schools go
| conclusvey to show that, wherever physical
activity was carried TO undue excess among
! thcm-as in the case of professional athletes,
etc.-thc invariablc result was premature
decay and early death. Excessive physical
culture during the age of chivalry furnished
the Same results Study of the vital statistics
of England, France and Prussia i'll modern
| times leads to a similar conclusion. Not only
| does the poin5 we are urging hold true in the
| lives of individuals, but it Is true Of nations
and races. Perhaps, rs regards tcnacity Of
existence as displayed ny a race une most
striking argument III FAVOR OIL our position TO
he found IN history IS the negative tcStliholly
| NJ. l., ,t..
FURNISHED by the jews. luis people, since us
dispersion, mas never III any 6c"e'ai' > s'GHi-
atIc way cuI'lVatcd us rh9 "ique, IL mas
never voluntarily no'ne aiIil7' II mas taken
| no ahi'ro III Uuc 'UA4C.l0 P"l9"''' VI 'iC Ia
tons among Whom IL mas p2en placeu. IL
has mover eXhiOiVcua hlSh physical standard
Its worst prosecutions nave prooaDiy' pceii
due, more IMAM any IuIH5 clSC' 10 us u'F"lch'
corpore@l leeHicnes5 AeO TO-DAY thlS race
Tor tenaclty ana Nltal'y' proDaoly sIaii'',
first on earth, and even at TINS late stage Oh
its history stlll shows capacity lor prouuc-
ing results IN literature science, art poHtlcs
ana commerce thaU RANKS WIN 'no pesV
run VI5or OF lAtclIcct IS only properly
based upon vigor OF body, and this vlSor OF
body results only from proper exercise Ii
is no unrsual thing IL colleges to ind stu
dents standing well Doth III their studies ana
in athletics. PRESIDENT LIloJ mas always been
a s;anch friend oil physical SPoHtS' ana nm
self when Ill college pulled an oar III inc UNI
NelSitY crew. NO one can ever look at 30
scph COOK, OF cou4d ever nave loohed al
ASasslz or bryant, Nithout ot once rcco9hll
ING the deNCIopmchO ana aoIldlly Oh lhephyS
lcal man. Sucn instances are almost lhhu
merabio. buU one NAlhS Is certain: 10 MAJ
can contlhaahy use poth us phyaical an,
mental powers AZ AI'h'H7 l'o 'hcIr lull ca