The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-06-21
THE SOUND BODY.
Perfect Physical Condition and It's
Salutary influence on the
Mind.

A curious and interesting study is
that of the adaptability of the aver
age human being to circumstances.
AS water seeks its own level, so the
individual becomes accustomed to
necessary conditions, and sooner or
later finds means of offsetting any
especial strain which he may be
called upon to bear continually, says
Elizabeth Robbins Berry, in Boston
Budget.
We hear much of the severe exac-
lions of modern life, of the intensity
Of the demands upon those engaged
In business or professional life, or
upon women in the home or in So
ciety. 1t is true, the finer social con-
ditlons of the present day, and the
rapidity with which progress evolves
along the higher lines, requires espe-
cial mental and physical alertness
if one would keep abreast of the
times, and the wonder is that there
are comparatively so few break
downs.
Yet in spite of all we hear of nerv-
GUS prostration and kindred troubles,
the public health is said to grow bet
ter, and the statistics of the average
age of human beings show greater
longevity with every passing decade,
which goes to show that man adj
justs himself to changing environ
ment, and acquires wisdom as time
goes by.
Everyone knows the man or woman
who seems to have almost superhu-
man power to meet the constant de-
mands upon them; and also those
who have suddenly collapsed from a
condition of apparent health to in
validism or death. 1t is customary
to marvel at both instances, yet a
little careful study will show the in
variable rule of cause and effect to
be in full operation. One has, in
spite OF. hurry and distress, lived sys-
Dramatically, sleeping, eating, bathing,
exercising regularity the other has
ruined fine physique by criminal
carelessness in matters of health.
Only by unremitting care of the
body can sound mental conditions be
maintained. Even the spiritual
forces seem to be lessened when the
physical organism is weak. The
ideal will always be "a sound mind
in a sound body" The ancient
Greeks understood this, and exempli-
fled it in their amusements, as well
as their art and literature. In our
day there would seem to be phys
ical renaissance. The up-to-date
young man or woman is athletic. Ex-
ercise, bathing, diet, sensible cloth
ing, all receive attention, and this
fact augurs we'll for the future of the
race.
The exactions upon the mental
force will be fully sustained when
such conditions are universal. 1t is
easy to preserve ones mental and
moral poise when the body is strong.
Who has not felt the thrill of mem
tai power when in perfect physical
health, and the spirit seems to soar
on wings to the height of exalta ton
when the individual is sound in body.
The teaching which would ignore
the claims of the physical is danger
Gus. The mind should be at all times
able to control the body, but this
can only be done when the physical
condition is normal. 1t would be
well if physical culture could be in
corporated more extensively into
our school systems, that children
might become early imbued with a
knowledge of all that makes for
sound health. 1t is a question if
crime could exist-certainly it could
not thrive-were all the laws of
health, including sanitary surround
ings, complied with.