EXERCISE. 



that, in order to increase our general strength, the whole frame must be 

 brought into exercise. 



In order, then, to maintain in a sound state the energies which nature 

 has given us, arid still more particularly, to increase their amount, we must 

 exercise them. If we desire to have a strong limb, we must exercise that 

 limb ; if we desire that the whole of our frame should be sound and strong, 

 we must exercise the whole of our frame. It is mainly by these means 

 that health and strength are to be preserved and improved. There are 

 rules, however, for the application of these laws of our being. 



1. In order that exercise may be truly advantageous, the parts must be 

 in a state of sufficient health to endure the exertion. In no case must ex- 

 ercise be carried beyond what the parts are capable of bearing with ease ; 

 otherwise a loss of energy, instead of a gain, will be the consequence. 



2. Exercise, to be efficacious, even in a healthy subject, must be excited, 

 sustained, and directed by that nervous stimulus which gives the muscles 

 the principal part of their strength, and contributes so much to the nutri- 

 tion of parts in a state of activity. 



3. The waste occasioned by exercise must be duly replaced by food ; as, 

 if there be any deficiency in that important requisite, the blood will so-'ii 

 cease to give that invigoration to the parts upon which increased health 

 and strength depend. 



KINDS OF BODILY EXERCISE. Exercise is usually considered as of two 

 kinds active and passive. The active consists in walking, running, leap- 

 ing, riding, fencing, rowing, skating, swimming, dancing, and various exer- 

 s, such as those with the poles, ropes, &c., prescribed in gymnastic in- 

 stitutions. The passive consists in carriage-riding, sailing, friction, swin_:- 



&c. 



Walking is perhaps the readiest mode of taking exercise, and the one 

 t ensively resorted to. If it brought the upper part of the body as 

 thoroughly into exertion as the lower, it would be perfect, for it i 

 and safe with nearly all except the much debilitated. To ivndrr it the 

 ril'.-ctual in the upper part of the body it were well to walk at all 

 . when convenient, singly and allow the arms and trunk free play. 

 t to walk with a companion, or for some di- I'm i b, as tin- 



llow of nrrvous energy will !>< l.\ ;u-ans promote 1. anl 



iiasbeenaliva.lv rxplained, th- more la 



y long or rapid walks should not be attempted l>y individuals of 

 I, nor by weakly ; Their frames an- totally unpre- 



d for s\i in, 



