The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-30
Health and Sedentary Habits.
Industrial Worll.l

Inc great laulL OF many business Hleu,
especially in the great cities, and where
the duties to be performed are confined
to the four walls of an office, is neg
lect of ofsuitable and regular physical en-
ercise. 1t is no uncommon thing for
g man to ride down town from his
residence, or from some suburb, hur-
riedly scanning his newspaper for the
important occurrences of the past
twenty-four hours. On leaving this
car he strides OFF a few squares, at the
most, to reach the building where his
occupation is located, and ascends to
his room in an elevator. Then he seats
himself at his desk, opens and disposes
of his morning mail, receives visitors
on business, considers propositions, is
sues orders and carries forward the
affairs Of the day, until lunch-time.
The brief period allowed for the satis-
faction of appetite involves very little
walking or other use Of the muscles.
Even the sense Of leisure does not ac-
company the mouthfuls Of food; for
haste and intensity seem to be inhe-
rent elements in all our methods Of
production and trade. Lunch over, the
sedentary routine ofthe day is resumed,
and continued until the close of the
business hours. Then away for a ride
home to dinner. There may be chair
at the opera or the play in the evening,
or at some lecture, or Of some commit
tee or political meeting, or social inter-
course; but the whole round of occupa-
tion and relaxation may afford a very
trifiing interruption Of the sedentary
habit.
All this is surely not the way to a
sound mind in sound body, which is
the condition that can alone achieve or
retain success, because a well-formed
and healthy condition of the material
organs is as essential to correct and
powerful mental action as 4 sound state
of the eve and ear for seeing and hear
ing. We do not need physician to
tell us that dulness and inet1iciency Of
mind are the sure results of the neglect
of corporal exercise, or that briIliance
and force of thought are the natural
fruits of physical activity. y feeble
body necessarily enfeehles the mind.
It has been said that "a disordercd
stomach eNtinguishes the flame of
genius;n for health, and with it lnen-
tai vigor, depends upon perpetual di-
eestion, assimilation and eNcretion,
which cannot be normally performed
without due assistance from a properly
developed muscular system. If we eN-
ercise the body it will become strong
and active. In this state it will inv:g
crate the mind; it will render the men
tality energetic, indefatigable, firm and
courageouS-qualitie> which are the
strongest possible allies Of effort and Of
achievement. On the other hand, de-
ticient exercise, or continued rest, weak
ems the circulation, relaXcs the muscles,
diminisheS the vital heat, checks the
perspiration, Injuries digestion, and
sickens the whole frame.
These considerations are of vital in
tcrcst and Importance to men of sedcn-
tary hl3:ts. Exp .ri.nca. teaches Wit h
great emphasis that No peIson can long
retain health land the intellectual
power which results from health with
oct The regular use Of I considerable
amount Of exercise in tie open air. He
may, for 4 time, feel pretty well with
out it, and imagine il is not necessary
for 'him:" but ii is ali delusion. Ma
ture will, at the end, assert her claims,
and he will be obliged to pay up. prin-
cipal and interest, for all his old ar
rears of exercise; and it will be well if
he should ever be able to quiet tie
claim.