The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-11
Correct Physical Proportions


There is constant tendency on the part of
specialists to over-develop a few sets of mus.
Giles, and to undervalue the Importance of
keeping the muscles all in a healthy condi-
ton. Consequently, through incompleteness
Of structure and want of harmony in func-
ton. some local weakness is produced which
sooner or later not only incapacitates the
individual for any great mental or physical
effort, but also renders him liable to disease.
What is true of athletics today was equally
true of gymnastics some fifteen or twenty
years ago. Many of our college and CITY
gymnasia were in the hands Of class of ex-
perts and specialists, who selected the an
paratus as means of exhibiting their
strength and prowess rather than means Of
physical culture and self-improvement. The
weaker members finding few forms of ap-
paratus that were suited to their capacity,
would stand idle, content with admiring the
exploits of their more vigorous companions.
In fact, man was made to feel that the
gymnasium was no place for him unless he
at least could turn backward somersault,
do the giants swing, or hang by his toes.
1t would be foreign to my purpose to carry
this discussion any further at the present
time. My object has been merely to show
that all sports, exercises and pastimes, pur-
sued as ends In themselves are necessarily
limited to very small class, and constantly
tend to degenerate.
What, then, can be done to make physical
exercise more attractive to the masses, and
relieve our popular sports of some of the
evils that tend to degrade them? know of
no better way of accomplishing this desirable
end than by repeatedly reminding the indi-
yidual OF the ultimate aim of every kind of
physical exercise. DO not the harmonious
development ofthe physique, and the building
up and broadening out Of the highest types Of
manhood and soomdnhood, offer an induce
nlent to tcork for.
This has been the theme of philosophers
and sages of all times. Every writer on ed
dcation, from Plato to Herbert Spencer, has
advocated physical activity as means of at
tanning that full-orbed and harmonious devel-
opment of all parts of the human economy
so essential, TO robust, vigorous health.
we have had no end OF treatises on the
sports, games and gymnastic exercises that
are reputed to give strength and symmetry
TO the body but unfortunately the wise and
good men of old have left US no standards by
which to Judge Of symmetry and strength.
The ancient masterpieces are models of SYM
metry and beauty, but they were made large
~ from ideal standards, certainly not from
actual measurements; while the miraculous
exhibitions of strength attributed to some of
the Grecian athletes must, in the light of the
present day, be regarded as a trifie mythical.
is this love OF symmetry in form myth, or
has 1t deep moral significance? i hold that
u has not only moral significance, and that
the size, shape and structure Of the body
have direct dynamic relation to all the vital
organs, and appreciably influence the fune-
lions OF the brain and nervous system.
The weight must not be too great, or the
statue too short or tall the limbs too massive
for the body, or the body too heavy for the
limDs; the head too large or too small, or the
neck too short or too long and slender. A
small, well-made engine, with all parts adj
1usted. Will do more work than larger one
with parts loosely constructed and great
disproportion between the important men,
bers. so small man, compactly built, with
symmetrical proportions and well-balanced
organism, can accomplish more than larg-
er man less solidly made, with all parts want
ing in symmetry and shapeliness. This law
Of adaptation and harmonious adjustment
OF parts prevails throughout the greater por-
ton of the animal Kingdom.
Among the civilized portion of tie human
race 1t is controverted by social laws that
tend to foster an inharmonious development.
The division of labor, for instance, has made
IL possible Tor man to earn livelihood and
TO maintain footing in the world by the use
of a very few muscles and faculties. Under
such circumstances the large head and mas
slve shoulders and chest are not necessarily
accompanied by a broad, substantial waist
ana peIvis and well developed lower extremi-
have to bear the burden of the weight above
II the Individual engaged in any kind of
physical activity in an upright position; but
aperson with his weight so unequally dis
tributed would find it very irksome to walk or
run, and would naturally avail himself of all
the modern conveniences Of lOcomotion. In
choosing his life's work, the chances are that
he would gravitate into some sedentary oc-
cupation in which he could render an equiv
lent service To any who were willing to do
his back and leg work for him. Had be been
advised TO- enter gymnasium or join an
athletic club for the purpose of improving
his physical condition. he would probably
have selected that exercise from which he
could derive the greatest amount of pleasure
with the least amount of effort This would
be something to call into play the muscles
that were already strong The result of this
inharmonious development would be a fur.
Their modification of structure which would
eventually throw the remaining organisms
out Of gear, and constitute greater or less
tendency to disease.