Wichita eagle., 1889-07-21

Who Think They Are Drowning.
In well known athletic club up town half
dozen young men of stalwart build, while
sitting at round table, became interested In
discussing the question of the best general
training considered from the standpoint of
hygiene 1t was but natural that every ath-
letio enthusiast should have his own theory
The baseball devotee advocated work in the
gymnasium, the canoeist debated in favor of
the paddle, the boxer desired to illustrate the
superiority Of gloves, an oarsman was ready
to meet all corners with the souls, an all round
athlete was sure that tour on the cinder
track gave the best play to the muscles and
lungs, yachtsrnan declared that a sprinkle
of salt water was highly conducive to health,
and bicyclist adhered to the theory that his
machine kept him in perfect condition Last
to assert himself was compactly built young
man, who asserted that swimming was the
best exercise from every point of view. The
young man gave as his authority a swimmer
who has had twenty-five years experience as
a general athlete. This athlete is Professor
T. P. Donaldson.
'Of all the sports have engaged in" said
Professor Donaldson to the reporter, swim
ming believe 10 be the best for the health
For dozen years and more swimming has
been my only exercise, and, although | am
engaged in sedentary occupation In this
town all winter, an in pretty good condi-
ton Feel my muscle"
The reporter, being invited, put his hand
on Professor Donaldson's biceps and on his
thigh. They were as hard as boards
II find that swimming is the best physician
ever had, I" continued Professor Donaldson.
L. IL IN, %o,, Il
nothing is the matter with me- To what do
] attribute my healthi To salt water, in the
first place. Did you ever observe the change
that takes place in society belle when she
quits the round of dissipation and lives for a
time at the seashorel The change can best be
noticed by contrasting the young womans
appearance a few weeks after she has taken
her daily plunge at the seashore with that of
woman who Is fresh from the city. The
woman who has bathed is vigorous and
rudy, while the new arrival is languid and
pale. 1t may Tot be that the young woman
who has battle has gained all her muscle and
plumpness by swimming She has lain in the
sand part of the afternoon, taken a hearty
dinner, and slept well O. nights"
is swimming difficult to learn"
ION the contrary, it is very easy. But one
thing is necessary-confidence There was a
curious example Of this in my experience.
Not long ago taught waioping big fellow,
who must have weighed $50 pounds. He
learned In two lessons. One day he wanted
to jump OFF from pier 100 feet from shore
and swim TO land. | thought he could do it,
and let him try, but jumped into the water
with him For a few yards he swan famously,
and then suddenly he got something ike stage
fright. He spluttered and kicked, and the
more he kicked the further be got from land.
/ was thoroughly frightened, but l didn't let
him know it / couldn't have handled him if
he had given up, he was so big. His hair was
tightly cropped SO that could not get hold
of it. All could do was to pat him on the
shoulder and tell him he was all right, and
then put one hand under his chin to keep
his head above water. he fell PROSTATE on
the beach in a minute, utterly used up If he
had believed in himself he could have pIowed
along as well as l."
SHOULD swimmers eat before entering the
water or after the baths"
constitutions differ. There seems to be a
notion prevalent that a bather should never
60 into the water before eating. While would
not advise batherS to eat Immediately before
going into the water, | believe, from observ-
ing thousands Of men and from quarter Of
a centurys experience, that 1t is facilitating
to battle for any length of time with no food
In the stomach. Capt. Webb used to eat a
hearty meal shortly before going into the
water. OF course, if you should eat big,
complicated dinner before bathing. you would
suffer the consequences. The length Of time
a person can, with benefit to himself, remain
in the water, depends on his constitution.
One thing is certain, if he does not feel well
after his dip, 1t is a sure sign that be needs a
tonic and in my opinion that tonic is contin-
ued sea bathing, taken moderated at first
and increasing the dose. For many batherS
it is better at first to take quick dip and
then lie in the sand for an hour or two, enjoy
ing a sun bath Afterward the tonic of a sea
bath may be enjoyed for longer time"
What is the best course to pursue in aid
ing people who are drowningF
Grab 'em by the back hair and hold them
at arms length. I've noticed one thing about
drowning people. When they are sinking the
first time if they see you and they rise again
they know where TO grapple with you, and
the result is you both so down together, with
q strong probability that you viii be drowned.
1t is my advice that il you so to rescue
drowning person you should swim around
him and keep behind him so he won't see you
when he comes up the second time. Another
thing, when going 10 a persons rescue, try to
gain his confidence. 1t is fact that one fin
ger placed under a swimmers body viii keep
him ahoat if you can only set him to believe
it"
What is the best time for bathingT"
before breakfast or late in the afternoon.
A glass of milk or q small cup of coffee should
be taken If the bath is to be Just after rising,
and a sharp run afterward and a brisk rub
with towel will be Of benefit"
an your twenty-five years experience how
many lives have you savedF
"Strange to say only one, and that was the
life of boy who had fallen Of a pier l don;
believe half the reported life saving is true.
Jobs arc put up by the savers New York
Sun.
A 81. Louis Pawnbroker with Conscience,
II have had occasion to call on my uncle
In almost every large city in the country"
said the drummer, land I'm telling you St
Louis is the hardest place | ever struck
About six months ago brought up there
dead broke, ard, while waiting to hear from
the firm. took dress coat over 10 pawn
shop TO get a loan of three or four dollars 1t
cost me $50, and was almost new.
How much do you want on dotF asked
the broker, who was an old man.
"Oh. about four dollars He stepped back,
and held up his hands In anazement and
gasped.
MY frendt, would you be so VERY kind
ash to walk ouGti | know yur doan' wish me
no harm und treat vrlr ash q sheutlemanSn