126 BEST TIME FOR TAKING EXERCISE. 



of some consequence in obtaining from it beneficial 

 results. Those who are in perfect health may en- 

 gage in it at almost any hour, except immediately 

 after a full meal ; but those who are not robust 

 ought to confine their hours of exercise within nar- 

 rower limits. To a person in full vigour, a good 

 walk in the country before breakfast may be highly 

 beneficial and exhilarating ; while, to an invalid or 

 delicate person, it will prove more detrimental than 

 useful, and will induce a sense of weariness, which 

 will spoil the pleasure of the whole day. Many are 

 deceived by the current poetical praises of the fresh- 

 ness of morning, and hurt themselves in summer by 

 seeking health in untimely promenades. 



In order to be beneficial, exercise must be resorted 

 to only when the system is sufficiently vigorous to 

 be able to meet it. This is the case after a lapse 

 of from two to four or five hours after a moderate 

 meal, and, consequently, the forenoon is the best 

 time. If exercise be delayed till some degree of 

 exhaustion from the want of food has occurred, it 

 speedily dissipates instead of increases the strength 

 which remains, and impairs instead of promotes di- 

 gestion. The result is quite natural ; for exercise 

 of every kind causes increased action and waste in 

 the organ ; and if there be not materials and vigour 

 enough in the general system to keep up that action 

 and supply the waste, nothing but increased debility 

 can reasonably be expected. 



For the same reason, exercise immediately before 

 meals, unless of a very gentle description, is injuri- 

 ous, and an interval of rest ought always to inter- 

 vene. Muscular action causes an afflux of blood and 

 nervous energy to the surface and extremities, and 

 if food be swallowed whenever the activity ceases, 

 and before time has been allowed for a different 

 distribution of the vital powers to take place, the 

 stomach is taken at disadvantage, and, from want 

 of the necessary action in its vessels and nerves, is 



