Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-21
PHYSICAL STRAIN.
PERlLS RESULTING FROM EXCESS
OF BODILY ACTIVITY.
A Proper Degree of Exercise Necessary
to the Wen Being of Man-The Jewish
Gno

Nothing is more absolutely necessary to
the well being of rlan-not only physical, but
mental and even moral-than the bodily ac-
tivity involved in a proper degree of exercise.
But on the other hand, undue strain put
upon the physical forces is a potent source of
danger 1t is a case for the application OF
the Horatian maxim in regard TO moderation.
Exactly to define the proper mean is an ex-
tremely difficult task We can, however,
offer some suggestions on this point that
may prove of use; and we will also touch
upon some of the perils resulting from ex-
cess The ancient Greeks have for many
centuries supplied the world, among other
things, with models of physical culture. The
climate permitted them to live largely in the
open air; their dress was UNDERSTANDING, and
they paid great attention to athletic sports
and the development and care 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 90
conclusively to show that, wherever physical
activity was carried to undue excess among
them-as in the case of professional athletes,
etc-the invariable 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 in modern
times leads to a similar conclusion. Not only
does the point we are urging hold true in the
lives of individuals but it is true of nations
and races. Perhaps, as regards tenacity Of
existence as displayed by a race, the most
striking argument in favor of our position to
be found in history is the negative testimony
furnished by the Jews This people, since its
dispersion, has never in any general, system
attic way cultivated its physique. 1t has
never voluntarily borne arms 1t has taken
no share in the athletic pursuits Of the ma
lions among whom it has been placed. 1t
has never exhibited G high physical standard.
Its worst prosecutions have, probably, been
due, more than anything else, to its apparent
corporal feebleness. Yet today this race,
for tenacity and vitality, probably stands
first on earth, and even at this late stage of
its history still shows capacity for produc
ing results in literature, science, art. politics
and commerce that ranks with the best.
Full vigor Of intellect is only properly
based upon vigor of body, and this vigor of
body results only from proper exercise. 1t
is no unusual thing in colleges to find STU
dents standing well both in their studies and
in athletics President Eliot has always been
a stanch friend of physical sports, and him
self when in college pulled an oar in the uni
versitv crew. No one can ever look at Jo-
seph Cook. or could ever have looked at
Agassiz or Bryant, without at once recogniz-
ing the development and Solidity of the phys
ical man. Such instances are almost innu-
merable But one thing is certain: no man
can continually use both his physical and
mental powers at anything like their full ca
pacity without soon coming to grief. HUI
man nature was not made for this sort Of
thing. 1t is burning the candle at both ends.
1t IS not given to one man to be both an En-
erson and a Sullivan.
A man should decide which half of his
nature is to have the lead, and then exercise
the other half just sufficiently to keep ths
former in condition and to preserve the
proper general balance. Ii he lives by his
brain, let him take physical exercise sufficient
To keep his bodily faculties, and by conse-
quence his brain ut their beSt-but not too
much. If he lives by his body, a certain adj
mixture of brain occupation Will make him
not only larger, but even actually a physi-
cally healthier man. A body worker should
use this and every other possible precaution
against undue physical strain. In both and
in all cases overvork of the bodily forces
must result in serious harm. The outside may
be fair, and the external appearance all that
could be desired, but inside there will be de-
cay. Nilkie Collins, In one of his stories.
most truly showed how delusive are the
seeming soundness and vigor of even the
trained athlete, when the call upon his vi
tality has been too prolonged or too great, or
when his physical Development has been ab-
normally forced-how suddenly bis apparent
ROBUSTNESS disappears, and is replaced by
morbid conditions, upon any sudden or extra
tension of work or emotion. The case Of the
all conquering but finally foiled Sullivan,
which has lately attracted so much attention.
seems clearly one exactly in point
For the sake of emphasis we again say: In
the case OF the man Of sedentary or brain
pursuits, he should employ his body only
enough to keep it tive and vigorous, ana
hence mis- spiritual faculties bright and keen,
without taxing his reserve of vitality The
object IS not TO use himself TIP as fast as pos
sIhle. 1t is = waSteful and fatal mistake
to keep the entire endowment at high pres
sure. As regards the man employed in bod
lily labor, 1t Is seldom within his power to
control its amount 1t may, however, be
said that, as soon IS he finds the equipoise Of
his system is being disturbed fact which
viii generally reveal itself 20 him through
some pain or feeling OF strain in somelo local
lty. the unnatural action Of some organ or
some sensation somewhere that be recognizes
as not ratural-or as soon as be finds that
hlS physical strength is gradually lessening,
be may know that he has passed the limit
In all c.ses, by systematic and severe physi-
cal competition-such as either calls for the
exertlon OF sudden and tremendous force or
for prolonged endurance, as occurs in prize
fights, rowing matches, walking or running
races, etc.-is pnysiologically unsafe, and
from the standpoint OF health and longevity
should be abolished
The danger in physical overwork is princi-
pally to those portions Of the body which are
concerned in the involuntary acts of life
that is 70 say. TO the muscles and nervous ap-