New Britain herald., 1925-10-24
Your Health
How to Keep It.
Causes of illness
BY DR.. HUGH $. CUMMING

Ordinarily 1t is reserved for IN
fants to learn to walk. However
there appears 10 be imminent need
for adults to lcanr as we'll, for IN"
increasing uso OF motor cars and
other forms Of rapid transportation
has lessened the use of legs until
there appears TO be some danger
of forgetting their function in the
process of locomotion.
That walking Is falling into dis.
use is greatly 10 be regretted, for 1t
has numerous valuable functions,
among which may be mentioned
exercise diversion and assistance in
health maintenance.
With the advent of rapid indi-
vidual transportation walking for
pleasure has fallen largely into the
discard. Even school children are
driven short distances to school
when the trip could be made adj
vantageously by walking,
The failure Of walking to achieve
wider popularity is due In large
part TO lack Of appreciation of the
advantages accruing from this
ing is primarily recreational in
character. for it offers changes Of
scene which are not too rapid for
assimilation and appreciation.
No matter what may be the par
ticuIsr hobby Of the walker,
whether birds, trees. architecture.
animals or automobiles, there is
abundant opportunity for satisfying
study Of these subjects while taking
leisurely stroll or an invigorating
walk.
Walking has the disadvantage of
being free and the misfortune OF
being a relatively mild exercise, Of
fering little opportunity for compe-
, tition. while many other sports
stress strenuous activity and offer
numerous chances for excelling.
Therefore, the value of walking
! is apt TO be minimized by the pub
lice which Is most appreciative Of
things that may only be secured by
| eHoft ana expense,
Many Sports Too Strenuous
In mentioning such admirable
and health giving exercise as may
be afforded by swimming. rowing,
golhng. tennis, gymnastic exercise
and the like, it must not be under.
stood that their use Is deprecated.
Quite on the contrary, 1t is desired
to recommend these diversions
most highly to those who can take
advantage Of them. In many In
stances, however, the exercises
mentioned are too strenuous to be
INDUCED in by everyone or not
readily available.
Walking, on the other hand, re-
quiring only willing spirit and a
pair OF legs, may be INDUCED in
without special preparation and
with the knowledge that the exerz
else will act bene1clally.
Walking Is particularly needed
by so-called brain-worker for
this class, by reason of sedentary
occupation and mental occupation.
seldom secures the amount of ex-
ercse essential to well-b being.
Mental fatigue, headache, insom-
MIA and other danger signals Of
overwork are often disregarded
by brain-workers and reliance Is
placed upon dangerous and tenn
porary forms Of artificial relief.
in q
Of the Ills TO which man is heir,
but 1t frequently will improve the
health OF the person who Is. by
: choice or necessity, compelled TO
work indoors In an artificial en-
yironment.
By reason OF the exercise in
volved, systematic walking diyerts
a largely increased volume of blood
: to the muscular system and par
ticularly to the lower eztremities
As a result congestion in he in.
: ternsl organs Is diminished.
Until one Is accustomed TO walk.
ing, 1t Is best to cover only short
distances Then, as the muscles and
mind become familiar with the
pleasant task of walking, the dis
n lance may be increased.
c A daily walk is better than ar
n occasional one and a speed OF three
e miles an hour is an economical one
for the human machinery,
l. Occasionally a hill or some
rough ground should be sought Sc
= that the lungs may be caused t.
u expand and the efficiency of the lei
muscles tested.
e Elderly persons and those witt
IS organic impairment should. o
course, confine themselves to ap
e propriately short and level walks
avoiding heart strain or undue ex
/ ertion. A leisurely walk in the opel
on pleasant days remains TO mos
a beneficial exercise for the aged.
Take the Walk Before Dinner
=. Probably the best time OF TIL
II day for walk Is after Office hour
and before the heavy meal Of tn
II evening, At this time the min,
rather than the body is fatigued.
u An hours walk does much to in
d crease the appetite, disseminat
n the fatigue poisons and fit one TO
n sound sleep, A walk In the morn
d ing. following breakfast, also ha
r, its devotees, for then the air
I stimulating and the mind is SUI
.ficiently alert to appreciate nature
l. ever changing moods.
The shoes worn should hav
x, fairly stout soles and be comfort
l. able. Tight and high-heeled shoe
re are homogeneous and can onl
2. cause discomfort. Ill-ftting an
Harmed socks may also detract fror
E. the PLEASURE Of a walk.
Chilling OF the body throug
perspiration should be avoided b
e. wearing appropriate clothing AN
e. making a change after the wall
] wettting of the feet shonld h