Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1907-10-09
BENEFITS OF WALKING.
Digestion, Improved, Appetite Sharp
ened, Circulation Accelerated.
(From Pearson's Weeklyo

\riolh ISdISOu WSehly.)
Walking calls forth an amount of
energy far beyond what is generally
supposed, and therefore it ranks az,
one of the best form Of physical exer-
else. AS a spell in the open air,
amid ever-changing scenery, walking
| contrasts fayorably with the exer-
cises common to stuffy gymnasium.
Moreover, walking demands an extra
effort on the part of the very organs
which contribute more than all the
rest OF the enjoyment of life. ,@
Now, as to the actual benefits that
walking effects, and the peculiar Sad-
vantage to which the exercise gives
rise. In the first place, the tempera-
ture of the body Is sufficiently raised
to cause a more rapid Interchange in
the contractile tissues. This means
that by these quickened changes the
muscles are more abundantly sup
pied with nutriment from the blood,
and their waste products by various
channels more quickly dispersed. ,
Then, with regard to respiration,
this, OF course, Is accelerated, and
breathing becomes much deeper.
Consequently a larger volume of oxy-
gen is absorbed by the blood, and
oxygen, it will be remembered, is far
more important than our daily food.
Next we look to the skin; the mill
ions of pores being widely opened,
the increased perspiration carries out
of the body a larger quantity of ef-
fete matter than would otherwise
escape. Digestion, also, is markedly
improved by walking, the appetite is
sharpened for a subsequent meal,
and the food is taken with keener
relish. ...-. ...
Then, as everybody knows, the cir
| culation Of the blood is accelerated,
so that every nook and corner of the
body receives an extra quantity of
nutriment. Lastly, the organs of
excretion are stimulated by walking,
SO that a larger quantity of refuse
Is eliminated by the natural chan
nels. The few facts thus briefly emu
merated should of themselves suffice
to encourage the practice of walk
ing. But more has yet to be claimed
in favor of this admirable exercise.
In addition to what has already
been stated respecting respiration,
still further benefits accrue from
the more perfect breathing of walk
ing exercise. r".
The chest Is separated from the
abdomen by means of the diaphragm,
oSSupico luc pOSll.Ou OI
ceiling and floor between an upper
and lower chamber. Above the dia-
phragm are the lungs which appar-
emily rest upon the structure, while
Immediately below 1t are the stom-
ach, liver and spleen. The dia-
phragm, being an elastic membrane,
Is pressed downward as the lungs
are fully inflated with air. This
downward movement brings pressure
to becr on the organs, hence they
are constantly submitted to a species
of massage.
Treatment of this natuYe Is highly
beneficial all round, but 1t is espe-
ciaiiy so with regard to the liver;
consequently we find that persons
accustomed to regular walking exer-
cises rarely need to complain of a
torpid liver" And, then, beyond
all this, the more complete imitation
of the lungs due to walking occa-
sions a more perfect supply Of CASE
Gus food. The actual gain of OXYGEN,
and the increased dispersion of car
bonic acid are very nearly double
the exercise