On Gymnastic Exercises* 



of premature over-exertion, especially if it be sudden, and 

 entered upon without previous training*. 



In considering this question, in relation to those who are not 

 hkely to be put to hard labour, we have particularly to fear 

 that a child of high spirit, while climbing, a rope, or mounting 

 a cross-bar placed high above its head, may over-exert itself. 

 The state of violent action that all the muscles, and particularly 

 those of the abdomen, are thrown into, by attempting to raise 

 the body on a cross-pole, or on the triangle, may be imagined 

 by examining the sketch below, which is taken from one of the 

 late works on gymnastics. 



Within the last two years, several cases of rupture have 

 occurred among those who have practised such feats ; this acci- 

 dent has not been confined to young men, nor to boys, but one 

 of the Directors of the exercises, a very powerful and muscular 

 man, suffered in this way. But, although such serious acci- 

 dents may not frequently happen, there are other circumstances 

 which must not be forgotten in considering the propriety qf 



♦ The miserable appearance of some of the farmers* boys proves that 

 even fresh air and plenty of good food will not counteract the bad effects 

 of early and hard labour. 



