Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-07-19
THE BEST EXERCISE.
A Pxo6eeeoy Of ewimmlng DO.
 om1bee It's Good Points.

A Profsssoy Of ewimmihg De-
 scribes It's Good Points.
 It A1akos Society Bslles Plump and Put
 Muscle on the Dudes Legs-Adv1co
 to People Who Thiak They
 Arc Drowning.
 In well-known athletic club half dozen young men of stalwart build, while sitting at round table, became interested in dis cussing tho question of the best general training considered from the standpoint of hygiene. It was but natural that every athletic enthusiast should have his own theory. The baseball devotee advocated work in the gymnasium, the canoeist de- bated in favor of the paddle, the boxer de- sired to illustrate the superiority of gloves, an oarsman was ready to meet all corners with the sculls, an all-round athlete was sure that tour on the cinder track gave the best play to the muscles and lungs, . yachtsman declared that . sprinkle of salt water was highly conducive to health, and bicyclist adhered to the theory that his ms chine 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 author ity Q swimmer who has had twenty-five years' experience as general athlete. This athlete Is Prof. T. P. Donaldson, of New York City.
 Prof. Donaldson is about five feet two inches in height He was born in . small town near London. In l866 he won tho short-distance swimming championship of England. At swimming and diving he has held many local championships in this coun- try. He has dived from High Bridge, New York, and Westminster Bridge, London Over sixty gold and silver medals have been won by him ln various branches of athletic sports.
 ''Of all the sports I have engaged in," said Prof Donaldson to . Sun reporter, swimming I believe to be the best for tho health. For dozen years aud more swim ming has been my only exercise, and d. though am engaged in @ sedentary occu- patton all winter l am in pretty good condi- tion. Feel my muscle"
 The reporter, being invited, put his hand on Prof. Donaldson's biceps and on his thigh. They were as hard as boards. 'I find that swimming is the best physi- clan ever had," continued Prof. Donald son. "I haven't mad g doctor in ten years, and nothing is the matter with me. To what do I attribute my healthi To salt water, in the first place."
 'sIs swimming difficult to learn" "On the contrary, 1t is very easy. But one thing is necessary-confidence. There was a curious example of this in my expert ence. Not long ago taught a walloping big fellow, who must have weighed 250 pounds. He learned In two lessons. One day he wanted to jump of from a pier 100 feet from shore and swim to land. I thought be could do it. and let him try. but l jumped into the water with him. For 8 few yards he swam famously, and then suddenly he got something like stage | fright He sputtered and kicked. and the more he kicked the further he got from land. [ was thoroughly frightened. but 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 that l could do was | to pat him on the shoulder and tell him he was all right, and then I put one hand under his chin to keep his head above water. He fell prostrate on the beach in 8 minute utterly used up. If he had believed in himself he could have plowed along as we'll as l."
 "Should swimmers eat before entering the water or after the bstha"
 l "Constitutions differ. There seems to be 3 notion prevalent that a bather should | never go into the water before eating While would not advise bathers to eat im- mediately before going into the water, believe from observing thousands of men and from 8 quarter of . century's expert ence, that it is facilitating to bathe for any ength of time with no food in the stomach. Captain Webb used to eat hearty meal shortly before going into the water. Of ,ourse, if you should eat big, compli- sated dinner before bathing you would suffer the consequences. The length of time Q person can, with benefit to himself, remaln in the water, de- pends on his constitution. One thing is certain; if he does not feel well after his lip 1t Is g sure sign that he needs . tonic, and in my opinion that tonic is continued seq bathing, taken moderately at first, and increasing the dose For many bathers 1t ke in the sand for an hour or two, enjoying sun bath. Afterward the tonic of g sea oath m ay be enjoyed for longer time"
 "What Is the best course to pursue in aid ing people who are drowning?"
 1 "Grab lem 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 Rrsppie with you, and the result Is you both go down together, with 8 strong prob | aUuAty tuSt you WAA O0 OEoW00us ~ ID Uy advice that if you 20 to rescue 8 drowning person you should swim around him and keep behind him, 50 he won't see you when he comes up the second time. Another thing, when going to person's rescue try to gain his confidence. It is fact that one finger placed under swimner's body will keep him aAoat If you can only get him to believe it."
 ''What Is the best time for bathinRi"
 Before breakfast or late in the after. noon. A glass of mtlk or Q small cup o1 coffee should be taken If the bath is to be just after rising, and sharp run afterward and brisk rub with towel will be of benefit" ea z.4,s..-
 s'In your twenty-five years' experien0 how many lives have you savedi"
 "Strange to say only one, and that was the life of boy who had fallen oR a pier. don't believe half the reported life say. ing is true. Jobs are put up by the sayers ''