The San Francisco call., 1896-07-05

dangerous. Amid the clamor of many voices
she is wise woman who pursues a medium
course.
Naturally the woman who would take exer-
else, in these days, thinks first of all of the
omnipresent wheel. Seeing the hundreds of
happy riders who throng our roads and path
ways these summer evenings, one cannot
blame her. But in the very fascination of the
wheel lies its danger. For ninety-nine women
out OF hundred the tendency is to overdo;
to ride too fast and too far; to ride until arms
are numb and splnes grow sensitive from the
vibration inevitable even with the perfected
pneumatic tires and saddles. Wire and steel
In rapid motion will maintain steady yibra-
ton. As well sag water will not run down
hill as to affirm the contrary, and the tendency
OF too-long-continued endurance of this vibra-
ton is over-stimulation, and consequent ex-
haustion of nerves. We are apt to forget, in
the sense OF power and freedom we get from
the 'silent, shining safety" that the motion
which seems so easy, so much part of our
own natural power, is, after all, foreign to us,
and therefore to be INDUCED in moderation.
Perhaps OF all modern physical culture fads
Tor women the one that in q few years will
have esulted in the most mischief is running.
1t is In great vogue just now, and advocates of
this form of exercise for women meet all criti-
cism by triumphant illusions to the feet
beyond a certain limit, which is soon reached,
analogies drawn from this source are danger
Gus. Those who are wont to attempt to regulate
mans life by laws that work for good among
the lower orders forget among other essential
differences between the human and the brute
creations, that man, in the course of the ages,
has acquired an upright position. This ac-
quired habit OF standing erect has given him
transcendent power among the creatures, but
m ndi doll t6nr a n 70
The wonder is not that he does it so well, but
that he does it at all. Mechanically con-
sldered, running for the human creature is
continuous falling 1t is q severe strain upon
the human physique, and women are even
less fitted to endure 1t than are men. Most of
US know it We run under protest, not be-
cause we do it awkwardly, but because we can
not do 1t comfortably, and the undoubted
hampering of our skirts is not the only req
son. 1t is well to know the principles Of rum
ming; how to perform the feat with the least
waste OF iorce and with the greatest degree of
skill; but 1t is form of exercise that women
should use sparingly.
As matter of fact moderation is a quality
that should enter into all exercise, but per-
haps the first essential to a successful search
for health through physi cal culture is ration al
dress. There is no better form OF exercise
known than deep, systematic, frequently prac-
ticed normal breathing, but it is the experience
OF physicisns>and of symnastic teachers alike
that the average woman does not know
how to breathe normally; in fact. is unable to
do so while wearing the almost omnipresent
corset.
But by the intelligent observances of few
simple exercises even the average woman if
she is inclined, may arrive at a very fair de-
gree of physical development without ever
having been inside gymnasium.
PENELOPE PowELLsoN.