The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-23

one can afford to get along without 1t.
The man or woman who wishes to pre-
serve health must not miss it, while the
man or woman who desires to restore
health must be even more assiduous. The
women who allow themselves to become
run down must recuperate by other means
than physic. Prominent among these
stands rational exercise. 1t matters COM
paratively little what form it takes, SO
that it is rational and is pursued steadily.
One more qualification it must possess. 1t
should be taken, as much as possible, out
of DOORS at least in the fresh air. This
is one of the drawbacks to such games as
ping pong, excellent they are in other
respects. They are played indoors, and
usually in a closed room. Half as much
time spent in the fresh air would be of
twice as much value.
Because of the growing appreciation Of
fresh air exercise among physicians ard
students of hygiene everywhere am glad
to see the returning and increasing in
terest in the bicycle as testified to by
public opinion and the advertising COL
umns of the daily press and of other pub
locations. Physicians tell US, that right
fully used, q wheel is one of the best
friends of the grown or ungrown person
who wishes to take outdoor exercise, be-
cause it not only gives play to the mus
cles Of the body but furnishes to the rider
the sense of doing something and getting
somewhere.
ercise for exercise sake is that it must
seem futile and dull to the busy woman
or man who does everything else with
some object in view. When woman
sweeps she is exercising, but she is also
accomplishing something. When she goes
out, unless she has an object for her
walk she Is generally bored by it. We
read of English women walking three
miles out on the turnpike and three miles
in again in the laudable pursuit of ex-
ercise and we think with a superior thrill
that an American woman would find
some more interesting way of winning
to the same end. But when we hear Of
stout New York women who post so many
times around the reservoir in Central
park in the endeavor to reduce their flesh,
we wonder if. after ALL we are so much
ahead Of the Britons in enterprise and in
yention.
When a woman is on a wheel it Is a
different thing. She is taking the air and
exercising her muscles. But she is also
getting somewhere-to pay call, do an
errand, to make the acquaintance Of bit
of road which had been too remote to eX-
piore on foot. New England doctor has
put himself on record by declaring among
the advantages of the bicycle that at
interests people and keeps them out OF
doors, two very important factors In a
healthy, happy life
Yet the woman makes @ mistake IL she
takes long run on her wheel one day
and allows it to gather dust, unused
thereafter for a week or ten days. II
she is to derive full advantage from her
cycling she must make it an everyday
matter, weather permitting. Not the
amount, but the regularity-let me repeat
1t again. By this do not mean that the
days runs must always be of uniform
length. They may be extended or con-
tracted as 1t seems advisable. But the
unvarying habit Of riding must be kept
UP and the body thus preserved in con-
dition for work or play.
This necessity for regular exercise is
winning attention more and more The
whole problem of proper bodily develop
ment has of late years received serious
consideration, both by the medical fra
ternity and by the laity. The popularity
E of the various systems of physical train
ings is a good indication and many Of
these schools seem to have accomplished
good. One of these that appeals to one
peculiarly, by reason of the unusua
breadth and value of it's scope, is the
American Institute of Physical Culture
This is Boston enterprise and is en-.
dorsed by men whose names stand fol
much in their respective lines. 1t i:
rather unusual in that the ethical side i:
made Of paramount Importance.
Many women, young and old. would bj
materially benefited in general health
pose of body. clearness of complexion ant
keenness of mind by course Of moderate
physical training under q guidance which
gives proper consideration to individual
needs It is this which is furnished by
this Boston school. and by it's we'll ar
ranged correspondence system the direc
tors are able to keep in touch with thei
pupils all over the country. These teach
ers too, insist upon regularity as a fund
amental part of the physical training the,
direct.