30 THE MUSCLES. 



it is fair to suppose that our age has not so greatly degen- 

 erated in respect to physical strength. 



13. Importance of Exercise. Action is the law of 

 the living body. Every organ demands use to preserve 

 it in full vigor, and to obtain from it its best services. 

 The value of that training of the mind, which we call 

 education, is everywhere recognized. The child is early 

 put to school, and for many years continues to study, in 

 order that his brain, which is the great centre of mental 

 power, may act healthfully and with force. It is impor- 

 tant that the body, also, should receive its education by 

 exercise. This is especially true of persons belonging to 

 certain classes of society, whose occupation confines them 

 within doors, and requires chiefly brain-work. 



14. Persons who are engaged in manual labor in the 

 open air obtain all the exercise necessary for bodily health 

 in their regular business: their need is more likely to be a 

 discipline or exercise of the mind. A perfect business of 

 life, therefore, would be one which would combine both 

 physical and mental labor in their proper proportions. 

 If such a business were possible for all the human race, life 

 would thereby be vastly prolonged. Such is, in fact, to a 

 large extent, the occupation pertaining to one period of 

 life childhood. A part of the time is spent by the child 

 in improving his mind by study, and another part of the 

 time he has physical exercise in his games and sports. 



15. The Effects of Exercise. Exercise consists in 

 a well-regulated use of the voluntary muscular system. 

 The effects, however, are not limited to the" parts used. 

 Other organs, which are not under the control of the 

 will, are indirectly influenced by it. For instance, the 

 heart l*ats more rapidly, the skin acts more freely, and 



13. Action? Use of organs? Training of the mind? The child's brain? 

 Education of the body ? 



1 4. Work in the open air ? A perfect business ? The consequence of universal 

 perfect business ? Occupation of children ? 



1 5. In what does exercise consist ? Effects of it ? 



