MUSCLES 169 



beats faster and stronger and the stomach acts better. 

 The whole body does better work so as to supply the 

 muscles with power. The brain also feels the effects of 

 the increased action of the body. Use of the muscles 

 makes us feel better in every way. When we have studied 

 or written all day, we have taken only a few deep breaths. 

 Our fires burn low and become clogged with waste matter. 

 If we now exercise for a few minutes, we shall start up all 

 the actions of the body and shall feel fresh again. 



Some men work hard and are healthy until they get 

 rich. Then they stop work at once and try to enjoy their 

 rest. But they find that their food does not digest, and 

 that they cannot breathe well. Their brains are clouded 

 and their heads ache. The trouble is that their muscles 

 do not need food, and so the body does not prepare it for 

 them. If they should do light work, they would feel all 

 right. 



We can use our muscles in order to grow strong. This 

 alone will not do us much good, for men can use machines 

 to do far more hard work than a large number of men can 

 do. We also use our muscles so as to grow healthy. This 

 should be the object of exercise. Every one should do 

 some work with his muscles every day. Girls and women 

 need exercise as well as boys and men. 



337. How to exercise. The best exercise is that in 

 which some useful work is done. A farmer's boy grows 

 strong and does not think of his exercise. Work about 

 the house or barn is the best kind of exercise. Every 

 child should have some regular work to do night and 

 morning. It will make him stronger and will also teach 

 him how to work. 



It is well to teach boys and girls some trade. Carpen- 

 tering is exercise, and also gives them useful knowledge. 



