New Britain herald., 1930-01-28
BV BIGGER


 Most athletic games have their anteccdcnts rooted in soil far dis tant from the lands where they now enjoy the greatest popularity. Rip Icy, Of Believe It or Not fame, dug mp a basketball court in the ruins of a Maya temple in South America, thereby showing that the game was historic when its Springfield father ''invcntcd' it.
 Since baskctball's past had been so effectively buried, it may be just Us we'll to continue to credit Dr. Nainsmith with it's origination and the Y, M. C. A. thanks for introduc- ins it. Just how the doctor got the inspiration for his peach basket" game is unknown.
 But q story in Roman mythology lod another "Y" physical director 0 invent a game. or a means of get ling exercise, now famous by it's use in President Hoovcrs Medicine Ball Cabinet Its presidential fay got the medicine ball on the front page but Robert J. Roberts of the Boston Y. AI C. A. invented it 'n 1876 and boxers have used it in their training quarters for many years.
 The myth relates that {. certain king was long on weight and short on temper. It was his avoirdupois that gave him concern and his Crus- tincss which bothered his court and subjects, They rcjoiced when the call went ont to bring in the Sooth- savers, magicians and the physicians 10 see what could be done in the re- ducns line.
 According to custom, the failure 10 produce q cure meant the death penalty for the whole outfit of wise men, With right good will they set to work to euro their monarch and, If that could not be done, mayhap ease the king out of this vale of tears before he could call in his eNecutioners and have the doctors heads topped off
 They tried connections which Sc. the kings teeth on edge and his stomach upside down. They filled him with health producing spring water and gave him baths But both forms of the water cure violat- ed the emperor's taste and only shortened his temper to a point tha. nearly put a stop to further treat mcnts.
 The juice Of various herbs was rubbed into his oily skin. He was massaged and magic potions were mixed with his food, but all 10 no purpose. The king continued 70 gain weight and lose patience. Tho doctors held q consultation among themselves 10 determine just what poison would act the quickest on the old reprobatc
 Wise man Senacio did not partici- pate in the meeting but instead withdrew 10 the mountains from whence he came, for meditation and inspiration. As he Inuscd sar, from the ire Of the king, an idea came 10 him. He gathered sweet smelling herbs, tied them into q, ball, wrapped them in green and red cloth and put on q covering of goats skin.
 For an hour he tossed the ball into the air, catching it as 1t de- scendod. Breathing it's fragrance and the mountain air. he felt re- treshed, The exercise did him goo and swim, on the way back, cllnched his determination to pre- scribe his medicine ball, baths and a diet for the king Taken togeth- er he felt sure that the royal per- sonage, who was a victim to his ap- petite, would recover his health.
 Senacio got back 10 the palace in Inc nick Of time 10 save the king from the poison plot. The neN, morning he had little trouble in persuading the monarch to try the ''medcinc' ball. Later he had 10 compromise with the king in in. matter or diet but the ,ulrr Was fa4- clnat"d WI'h inc urw gumc. Tn exercise did him good and the odor Of the Lcrhs vas pleasant smell 'o his nosirils.
 Td" tossing Of thr ball and the lending ot the body trough, into play muscles that had cried out for something 10 do Th. hug had a court constructed where he anI S"nacjo coGId ,>cr.tsr u private. The legend says that ho lost weight, dts skin tanned and his eyes he. came clear
 AS his health improved 2ood-ua- lure "'s restored and tho kina bc- cam" So kind fhat he rcmit,od taNns for year and rewarded literally he man from 'he mountains who prodDrod a uau that was better than aue medicine Of the doctors.
 Thus medicine bail Was iulroduc- d in royal circles centuries bctoro Dt appeared a' inc White Uous,. With basketball and 1olloy yban. medicine hal IS in the trio Of game ra$urrcc'cd from the past. or in- vented. by the Nouug Mems Chris