The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-28
Athletics
and Health.

rs athletics as now carried on con-
ducive to health?" is question asked
by medical authority. and some curl
osity is evinced as to what point Of
barbarity il viii attain ere public
sentiment revoits against its methods.
There is an ever growing tendency
among sensible and thoughtful men TO
deplore the manner in which our mod
ern sports and games are conducted.
The spirit OF emulation is an excellent
quality. but even that may be carried
too far. and when. as not infreQuentIy
happens. limbs are broken and fatal
casualties occur IN what are supposed
20 be friendly football games between
boys at school or university Ii Is time
that the situation should be reviewed
dispassionately. As with the mode OF
playing football. so IL is with the meth
DDS ruling the conduct of modern ath-
letes generally. The system Is not only
not beneficial. but 1t is prejudicial TO
health.
In the journals OF England a heated
discussion is now being waged with re-
gard to this much vexed question. let
ters are being written and opinions
aired by all sorts and conditions OF
men, and from these IL would appear
that the conclusions arrived az are un-
favorable 10 the view of the healthful-
ness OF modern athletic training.
The British Medical Journal has TAX
en- up the subject and SAYS: I'VE quite
admit that many athletes are extraor-
dinarily healthy fellows. but that does
not touch the question. None but strong
and healthy men are likely 10 enter on
or. at any rate. to persevere in athletic
pursuits. and the question really Is not.
DO some OF them remain healthy?' but.
Do they remain as healthy when they
devote themselves to one object of de-
veloping muscle as they. the same peo-
pie. would IL they led an ordinary out
door life. eating ordinary food and TAX
ing a reasonable amount OF exercise
without any attempt at interfering with
their weight or increasing their mus
cles?' The key TO the answer lies In
the fact that health depends on the iu-
tegrity of the digestive and assimiia,
tive organs. and that perfection OF mus.
Gle Is quite n secondary consideration.
. Notwithstanding the array OF
vigorous and hearty middle aged and
even elderly men who have survived the
ordeal. we cannot shut our eyes 10 ths
fact that the record breaking which is
now the aim OF every self respecting
athlete is productive OF such an amount
Of strain. especially TO the vascular sys-
tenn. as when oft repeated must do
harm. The athlete is often healthy. but
is so in spite of rather than by virtua
OF his athleticism."
These are true words and apply
probably even more directly 10 Ameci-
can athletes and to the American sys-
TEN of training than 10 athletes OF Eng
land who follow the system in vogue
there. The course OF training at univer-
stiles In this country is much more se-
we're than in England. However. thers
is small room for doubt that in both
countries athletics. and more particu-
larly among amateurs. is carried TO ex-
cess. OF course IL a man is profess
sionaI and gains a livelihood by the ex-
ercise of his thews and shows no
must expect TO run some risks. but with
those who hope in after life 10 work a.
a profession or trade II is foolish In the
extreme 20 mortgage their future by in
juring their health when at school OF
college.