The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-06

az ths a~s 81 u 10 20 cannot. Of course.
pnaary, the raining which would be suit
.hss =. - hut he can take systematic and
gentle exercise which would De worth
many wears Of comfortable activity. The
troubge with most men is that they permit
themselves 10 settle down into a lazy
,nAs, which procrastinates that exercise
.wn,rh most men admit to be necessary.
i. saving of time is made the excuse for
avoiding the daily walk which the con-
xenssut use of trolley and cable cars rem
Se-~ unnecessary, and the seductions Of
comfortable cigar and an easy chair win
a victory over the bowling alley and the
,lunhsslls. Il takes nerve, no doubt for
a man who has permitted himself TO drop
out OF the exercise of earlier years 10
force himself 20 steady and sustained
daily exercise. but physical laziness is the
great danger with which middle age is
threatened. Where athletics have been
abandoned for many years il is unwise
for men over 10 to engage in running or
boxing exercises, but long walks in the
omen air. the use of dumbbells. half an
hour in a bowling alley. moderate use
of the wheel will not only diversity life,
circulate the blood. expand the lungs and
clear the eye, but viii insure sound sieep
and do much toward promoting a cheer
ful spirit and good temper. Troubles sit
more lightly upon him whose heart is
light and whose digestive organs are in
good condition.
There is some danger in man of mid
die age entering too violently into physi-
cal exercises, and thereby iniuring him
self without becoming Immediately con-
scious of 1t. With the blood rushing
through his veins IN renewed exhiiaration,
and the muscles thrilling under the re-
newed vigor. it Is possible to overestimate
the reservoir of vitality which yielded so
copiously to the demands of ten or twen-
ty years earlier The necessary failing
vitality may not be felt. but IL is never
theiess making greater demand for the
daily supply. and although the extraordi-
nary call made upon it by violent exercise
may be responded to. it Is only at sacri-
fee for which there must be after COM
pensation.
Nature is jealous mistress and insists
upon attention to her laws. They may be
violated apparently without her knowl-
edge. but the day Of reckoning comes. The
use Of tobacco is not condemned now as
it was few years ago. but il must be
held in check. 1t is as essential to be
moderate In its use as in eating; but it's
Ill effects, If there are any. are very much
reduced IL the body Is kept in good tone by
q reasonable amount of exercise. I'm
moderate or spasmodic violent exercise is
as injurious to the man of middle age as
would be immoderate use Of tobacco; and
probably if perfect physical condition
were desired the use of tobacco might be
prohibited, just as the eating of pastry
might be. The average man, however,
does not desire to become an athlete. He
wants to be healthy and to retain full use
of his faculties so long as he lives in the
meantime enjoying little pleasure, in
GLIDING pie eating and tobacco smoking.
even though they should both be forbid
den by the better rule of physical culture.
To such men an occasional visit TO the
rooms of an athletic club would be exceed
ingly beneficial, and there Is no business
man who should not, in justice to himself,
spend an hour or so. occasionally, In the
care Of his body.