The Republican journal., 1904-04-14

Tents" Etc.
Copyright, 1904, by Christine Terhune Herrick)
Everyone recognizes the power of diet
in preserving health. Diet is much, but
it is not all. 1t must be supplemented
by variety of other things. Among
the most important of these is regularl-
ty of habit.
| once heard a man who had made
much of himself physically, after start
ing with very poor natural equipment,
say that he attributed a great deal OF
his sound condition to the fixed periods
at which he took food. 81 find it bet
ter" he said, ito break my fast at din
ner-time, by sandwich when | cannot
have full meal, than to wait for an
hour or two for my regular dinner. The
stomach is a creature OF habit and II
YOU take liberties with it you are bound
to make it uncomfortable sooner or
later"
Another man of similar experience
saiG later, in my hearing, that there
was nothing worse for one than lrregu-
lar exercise. ''These women who start
out and walk seven miles in one after
noon and then take no more vigorous
exercise for week, do themselves more
harm than good" he declared. THE
regularity more than the amount OF the
exercise is what works benefit
This leads to the necessity for ex-
ercise, and regular exercise at that. No
one can afford to get along without 1t.
The man or woman who wishes to pre-
serve health must not miss 1t, 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 comparatively little what
form it takes, so that is rational and is
pursued steadily. One more qualltlca-
ton it must possess. 1t should be taken,
aS much as possible, out of doors, or at
least in the fresh air. This is one of the
drawbacks to such games as ping-pong,
excellent as they are in other respects.
They are played indoors and usually i'll
a closed room. Half as much time
spent in the fresh air would be of twice
as much value.
of fresh air exercise among physicians
and students of hygiene verywhere |
am GLAD to see the returning and in
creaSing interest in the bicycle, as testi-
tied to 10y public opinion and the adver-
Using columns of the daily press and of
other publications. Physicians tell US
that, rightfully used, a wheel is one of
the best friends of the grown or un-
grown person who wishes to take out
door exercise. because it not only gives
play to the muscles of the body but
furnishes to the rider the sense OF doing
something and getting some where.
One Of the diSeouragng features of
exercise foreXercise sake is that it must
seem futile and dull in the busy woman
OF 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 ali 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 audable
pursuit OF exercise and we think with
d superior thrill that an American
woman would find some more interest
ing way of winning 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 en-
deaVur to reduce their flesh, we wonder
II AFTER all, We are SO much ahead of
the ButOus IN enterprise and invention.
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 pay a call.
to do an errand, to make the acquaint-
ance OF bit of road which had been
100 remote to explore on foot. A New
England doctor has put himself on rec
Nd h vi, Sua ,tnn
of the bicycle that 1t interests people
and keeps them out of doors, two very
important factors in healthy, happy
life
y ct the woman makes a mistake if
she takes a long run on her wheel one
day ami allows it to gather dust uIi-
used, thereafter for week or ten days.
If she is to derive full advantage from
her cycling, she must make it an every
day matter, weather permitting. Not
the amount, but the regularity let me
repeat it again. BY this | do not mean
that the days runs must always be of
uniform length. They may be extended
or contracted as seems advisable But
the unvarying habit of riding must be
kept up and the body thus preserved in
condition 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 populari
ty of the various systems of physical
training is good indication and many
of these schools seem to have accom-
plished good. One of these that appeals
to one peculiarly, by reason of the I'M
usual breadth and value of it's scope, is
the American Institute of Physical
Culture. This is a Boston enterprise
and is endorsed by men whose names
stand for much i'll their respective lines.
IT is rather unusual in that the ethical
side is made of paramount Importance.
Many women, young and old, would
be materially benefited in general
health, pose of body, clearness of com
plexion and keenness of mind by a
course of moderate physical training
under a guidance which gives proper
consideration to individual needs 1t
is this which is furnished by this Bos-
ton school, and by its well arranged
correspondence system the directors are
able to keep in touch with their pupils
all over the country. These teachers,
too, insist upon regularity as funda-
mental part of the physical training
they direct.
Similar regularity is essential so far
as sleep is concerned for those who wish