Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1895-01-09
PHYSICAL TRAINING.
Wonderful Results Obtained by
Systematic Methods.
HOW SANDOW BUILT HIS MUSCLE.
Experience Has Shown that Bulky-Mus-
cled Men are Failures as Puglllsts
and Wrestlers.

man shows in very marked degree
the wonderful results which can pe OBJ
tanned by systematic and philosophi-
cal method of muscle building. When
at rest, Shadows muscles and skin are
soft and pliable, but when the muscles
are contracted from voluntary effort.
1t Is we'll nigh impossible to pinch up
the superlying tissues. Much curiosity
has been exhibited regarding Sandow's
system Of training, especially as re-
CARDS his diet and mode of life. 1t is
noteworthy that he eats, drinks and
smokes as he pleases, the old fashioned
Ideal of dietetio restriction for athletes
evidently having very little weight
with him. 1t is astonishing that he
Ia not compelled to be more abstem-
iors, but he is apparently quite as ca
pable of immense musclar effort after
coarse dinner and liberal supply of
wine, followed by one or more cigars,
as at any other time. After his per-
Torrance is ended Sandow takes cold
sponge bath and rub, as does every
well-informed athlete.
BY systematic parctice in this direc-
ton one is enabled to get sufficient OK
ercise without any apparatus whatever.
It is the relative degree of control
which the individual acquires over his
muscles. rather than their bulk, that
determines their strength. Such en-
ormous Development as that of Sandow
Is by no means necessary nor even adj
visable. Feats of strength do not con-
stitute the aim Of ideal athletics. /. O.,
athletics for health. Given bulky
muscle, and we usually have slow
muscle. The ideal muscle is not al
ways the one which stands out in such
bold relief as do those of Sandow. The
average big-muscled man is muscle
bound, and perhaps shoulder bound,
and while Sandow is apparently an
exception to the rule, he himself in all
probability displays to less advantage
in feats requiring combination OF
skill, strength and agility. Expert
ence has shown that bulky-muscled
men are, OH tho average. failures as
pugilists and wrestlers. Corbett is an
ideal athlete, yet his muscles are
smooth, we'll laid and not bulky. 1t
is to be hoped that Sandow's exhibit
tions may not have a pernicious effect
upon aspiring youths who imagine
that ideal training implies great feats
of strength, and muscles which stand
out in bold relief like an anatomical
demonstration. A point worthy OF con-
sideration is the fact that Sandow is
of very phlegmatio temperam ent.
Persons Of more sensitive organiza-
tion and workers, would soon
pass the danger line if they attempted
to emulate Sandow. The personal
equation must be remembered in ath-
letics as we'll as elsewhere. A word
Of caution is also necessary in respect
to diet and drink. While restricted
regimen is relic of the past in ath-
letics, more care is necessary than San
dow imposes upon himself-the per-
sonal equation again. Wine, tobacco
and athletics mix but poorly.
The question now arises: What
damage, if any. does such work as
Shadows produce upon the individual?
From what has been said of Shadows
present condition one might be led to
infer that such feats of strength are
harmless. but such is not the fact.
Sandow is confronted by two dangers.
First. death at an early period after
complete suspension of his athletic
strain. Second, death at middle age OF
soon thereafter, from continuance of
his work. In the first instance we will
suppose that our subject ceases to work
voluntary or otherwise. In this
event he is confronted by a serious
problem. He has solved the problem
of developing his heart and lungs pari
passu with the development of his
general muscular system. but how is he
going to bring about involution of his
lungs and heart pari passu with the
general muscular involution which
must follow restP To do this is impos-
sible and the result is relative disease
Of his enormous heart and lungs. Dis
use means decay; degeneracy of cardiac
fiber and lung tissue results; degener-
acy offers constant invitation to dis
ease of various kinds. The most power
full pugilist America ever produced
quit the squared circle and entered
counting room, only to die of con-
sumption within year. The athlete
had need of large lungs, but without
their accustomed exercise were mistit
in sedentary occupation. 1t has been
said that "a man is just as old rs his
arteries" Many a strong man has
verified the truth of this to his cost.
At forty-five, Sandow will be in the
prime of his strength; his arteries and
heart, however. will not be in the
prime of their elasticity. Readjust-
ment after strain will be no longer
possible. Deeeneracy of arterial walls
and cardiac fiber will occur; dilatation
Of the heart and trouble with the coro-
nary and minute cerebral arteries is
likely to develop. Sandow is wonder
full man, but his example is pernicious.
His system Of muscle building is
superb; its application may be danger
ous.-Dr. G. F. Lydston. in the Journal
of the American Medical Association