EXERCISE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 149, 27 June 1898, Page 6

EXERCISE.

Proper exercise is one of the most important laws to preserve health, and for giving vital power for resisting disease. When people are in normal health, to preserve it two hours of vigorous open-air exercise daily isl imperative, and people who lead a sedentary life should be careful that none of this is foregone. In the morning, the exercise of dumbbells should be taken immediately after the bath, these excreisos being- for the purpose of strengthening the muscles, which act in the function of breathing. With many women of inactive lives, these muscles become relaxed from not being used, and the breathing is then done from the chest, which action in time becomes injurious to the health, and brings on indigestion and nervous depression. This five to ten minutes' dumb-bell exercise every morning is of the greatest value in developing the muscles of the upper part of the body, and should be made a habit with men, women and children. Exercise in the open air is the best tonic for the nerves and cure against low spirits. The generation of girls growing up promises a fine physique, thanks to cycling and out-door games and amusements! I3ufc something more than games is required for developing muscles ; and calisthenics, with the addition of dumb-bells, come into service for this. Half-an-hour's calisthenics are not too much for boys and girls between the ages of twelve and fourteen, for the pulmonary capacity can at that age be increased, and good arms, which mean a good heart, formed. Fencing with foils is one of the best forms of exercise for girls and women. Actresses learn to fence in order to develop a graceful carriage. It imparts lightness of foot, quickness of hand and eye and elasticity in walking. In mature life there should bo no sreat falling off or putting on of ilesh. But it is during mature Jife that muscles, lying disused, bee&me fatty and deficient of blood. Ihe heart is weakened by want of exercise for the healthy use of the heart muscles is most important. For this, constant, equable exercise should be kept up, and violent or unaccustomed activity should not be undertaken suddenly, or the unusual strain on the umused muscles may lead to complications.