Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-01
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
Written for The Evening Star.

written for The Evening Star.
To judge by the number of advertising
professors, the advantages of physical cul-
ture are highly appreciated by the Ameri-
can people. Periodicals frequently publish
columns devoted to health subjects written
by men or women more or less amateurlsh.
Many of the statements contained both in
these newspaper notes and in the adVer-
tisements are without scientific foundation.
The articles will enunciate shortly the true
principles on which physical development
depends both in children and adults, and
the means to be employed in maintaining
both physical and mental health. For it
must not be forgotten that what we call
the physical is merely a means toward the
attainment of the highest mental efficacy
possible.
Physical exercise is like civilization, in
that it Is only a means toward placing the
individual in the best possible condition for
fulfilling the highest needs of the human
being.
The exaggerated importance given to the
attainment of bodily symmetry and large
muscular development would not exist If
this principle was kept in mind. DIR. Sam
uel johnson we'll pointed out to the brag-
CART who boasted of his physical prowess
that she could buy horse to do that"
An article in a current periodical states
that salt bath Is supposed to be hene-
fetal under certain circumstances. Read
ers have a right to expect writer's who pose
as guides in such matters to furnish some
thing better than such vague possibilities
The statements in this column Will be
definite, have constant references to the
end in view mentioned above, and Will be
founded on denonstrable scientific tact.
So far from it being an advantage to a
modern man or woman depending for their
living on the use of the brain to possess
biceps muscle of enormous proportions and
a huge mass of flesh surrounding the Shout
n ot1nn n
tissue is a disadvantage In the struggle of
life The energies of an agricultural laborer
or stevedore are concentrated on the de-
veiopment and maintenance of his muscular
strength. He is specialist. The food he
eats goes largely to nourish these large
hardworking muscles To all of US need
of muscular work falls; and the better and
more symmetrical the development of those
muscles we need the less difficulty we
| have In performing the action those mus
muscle is like the old man of the sea: it
| has to be fed, involving unnecessary work
| for the digestive organs. 1t adds to the
| excretions of the body, the poisonous sub
| blood, so that they may be disposed of to
| the kidneys; to carry it, other muscles have
| to work harder, especially the heart, in or
| der to supply 1t with blood.
| The larger the blood distribution required
! for the muscles. the less blood can be
spared for the needs Of the brain, and the
| glandular organs. and In childhood the
| growth and proper nutrition OF the body as
| whole. So
Where then do we find the function OF
| muscular exercise?
The Lymph; Its Source; It's Destination
| The muscles are contractile bodies COM
| posed Of the fbers which contract, the
| spaces between these fbers. and the blood
vessels and nerves, which supply nutriment