77/7? MUSCLES. 47 



should be taken, if possible, out of doors. Much of its 

 benefit comes from breathing a great deal of pure air. 



The more heartily the mind is interested and engaged, 

 the more the benefit. 



12, Violent exercise should not be taken directly after a 

 full meal. At this time the stomach has work to do. If 

 the blood is drawn away from it to the muscles, and all 

 the strength is engaged in muscular efforts, the digestion 

 will be checked. If such a practice be long continued, 

 the stomach will be weakened. 



13, In muscular exercise, as in every thing else, it is 

 important to avoid excess. It is excess to exercise so long 

 or severely as to be unfitted for other occupations. It is 

 excess to exercise until a muscle or limb is painfully ex- 

 hausted, and does not soon rest. It is excess to attempt 

 through ambition exercises that are beyond the strength. 

 It is excess to engage in severe exercises when exhausted 

 by mental or other labor. 



Excessive exercise sometimes results in bleeding from 

 the lungs, sometimes in enlargement of the heart. That 

 organ, being compelled to overwork, becomes too large; 

 and this causes illness, and sometimes death. 



14, There are many small muscles in the face, which 

 are attached by one end to the bone, by the other to the 

 skin. By acting together, they give a great variety of 

 expression. The thoughts and feelings are indicated. 

 Grief causes one set of muscles to contract, joy another. 

 So naturally is the action of particular muscles associated 

 with certain emotions, that it is difficult for most people 

 to conceal their feelings from one who is steadfastly ob- 

 serving the countenance. The faces of the lower animals 

 are not as well supplied with muscles, nor are they as soft 



