Arizona republican., 1910-07-08
PHOENIX. ARIZONA, JULY s, 1910.
The Mind and the Body.

There IS at least one phase of the Jeffries- Johnson fight which pre- sents an interesting study for all people, regardless of their attitude toward prize fighting. We refer to the psychological question suggested by Jeffries' apparently unnecessary collapse.
 What was the cause of his miser- able physical showing and his ob- vious mental stupidity?
 Immediately after the event we ventured the opinion that his poor physical exhibition was chargeable to the hurtful habits of his idle years his indulgence in beer and cigar ettes-and We have learned of no fact to change this opinion. MT William Muldoon. who probably is the most capable master of physical training in the world, urges that Jeffries' mas sive bulk and native strength should have enabled him to fight magnifi- gently for a few rounds, however short of the ultimate requirements he may have been. Muldoon is one of the few really intellectual men who have had long association with prize fighters, and his conclusions have the weight of authority He dismisses the suggestion that Jeffries was drugged, and states it as his opinion that the former champions premature collapse was caused by a lack of brain power. All of us are familiar with the type of man who is unable to face emergencies without resort ing to stimulants; disturbance of the routine is what mostly causes men of inferior balance to drink. It is Muldoon's theory that Jeffries' mind was overwhelmed by the eXtraordi- nary emergency that confronted him. He knew that the attention of the whole world was concentrated upon him; it was contrary to the tradi- tions of training to resort to stimu- lants, and in the final hour, when it was up to him" to justify the ex- pectations of the world, he was over come by nervous prostration. MT. Muldoon, after a visit with Jeffries and his trainers following the fight, thus sums up in a dispatch to the Los Angeles Examiner his observa- tions and conclusions:
 IL seems that his trainers and handlers and one or two personal friends who were trying to keep him from worrying by entertaining him Tn various ways, noticed on Sunday about noon that Jeffries was get ting extremely nervous and irritable He was playing cards. but gave the game absolutely no attention, made many misplays and seemed to be an- moved by everybody that came around. They thought it was due to that silly process that so many train CTS believe in, known as drying that is, abstaining from water or fmids of any kind. In my opinion, it is absolutely unnecessary ana d most foolish thing to do, but Jeffries believed in it and was putting IL lh'o practice. Dr. Porter's attention was ddrawn to his condition and ne watched him closely, made one or two physical examinations and found ms heart and other organs perfect; put could not get Jeffries into any conver- sation of any kind, on any suo)ect. When evening came the crowds about the place were tremendous. They have no rains in this section and the grounds are very dry and the hun dreds of automobiles flashing around and thousands of people kept the at mosphere thick with dust
 Ieffries complained about his con- dition He did not care for his sup ner hut ate a little. He retired quite early. but I found out through Mrs. Jeffries. who occupied room on the same floor. that she could hear her husband about the room. jumping up' locking out of the window, retiring, and in a little while was up again anu if is her opinion that he slept but very | little during the whole night. She went to the door and spoke 10 nm once. but received an order to go to her room and keep quiet. In the morning at 8 o'clock Farmer Burhs | went to Jeffries' room and found mn dozing. He had then been Tn the room twelve hours. Burns inquired about his sleep and received as an | answer: 'T am all right. l wish this thing was over" |
 Two doctors sent by the board or health. or county physicians, called to | examine Jeffries. They were given
 fhA-nfreyh examination they pronounced him as