84 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



As a preventive of disease, there can be no question of the advan- 

 tageous results of exercise, and in this connection may be quoted the 

 reports from Amherst College, which show a remarkable decrease in 

 sickness since the introduction of compulsory gymnastics, and a de- 

 crease in the proportion of three sick in the freshman year to one sick 

 in the senior year, as a result of four years' training. Another most 

 excellent result mentioned in the same reports, which can not be too 

 greatly emphasized, is the increase of the person's own regard for his 

 body. After realizing the cost of physical strength, one is far less 

 likely to waste it wantonly. 



What has been said of the advantages of physical exercise in de- 

 veloping the body applies even more forcibly in regaining a vigorous 

 condition after debilitating disease. For, while in growth we have 

 natural tendencies toward excellent development, on the other hand 

 in the convalescence of adults the only stimulus is that of needed 

 strength ; only by exertion can this stimulus be gained. To bring a 

 convalescent fully up to par, more is needed than tonics and a nutri- 

 tious diet. And if doctors oftener prescribed and required definite 

 daily amounts of exercise, their patients' recoveries would be hastened, 

 and the striking change for the better, now so often immediately fol- 

 lowing the doctors' dismissal, would then be less noticeable. 



Especially applicable would such practice be in hospitals where pa- 

 tients are under stricter surveillance, but surrounded with less induce- 

 ments to exercise themselves ; comfortably cared for, with no necessity 

 for exertion, it is often no easy job to rouse them to active recovery of 

 strength. The added expense of a suitable gymnasium under compe- 

 tent supervision would, doubtless, be saved by the patient's shorter 

 stay in the convalescent condition. 



In the case of physical exercise, no exception will be found to the gen- 

 eral rule that the efficacy depends upon the accuracy of the prescription. 



Good results are not to be expected from careless following of care- 

 less advice. Those whose need is greatest are often the most loath to 

 undertake any exercise, and hence such will be sure not to avail them- 

 selves of any indefinite instructions in this respect ; while, on the other 

 hand, some, out of over-conscientiousness or enthusiasm and in lack 

 of explicit directions, are liable by overdoing to receive injury instead 

 of benefit. It should be borne in mind that it is the physician's duty 

 to teach his patients that they may so far as possible live intelligently 

 as regards their own peculiar conditions. If in his trained observation 

 there is on his patient's part a need for greater lung development, then 

 every means should be taken to gain the patient's intelligent co-opera- 

 tion in securing this result. 



If a well-appointed gymnasium is at hand, the physician should be 

 as well able to prescribe the exact use of its different apparatus as he 

 is to write for doses from the adjoining drug-store. Nor is it safer to 

 depend upon the skill of the average gymnasium director, than it is 



