HEALTH NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 28 January 1928, Page 17

HEALTH NOTES

THE ART OF SWIMMING A HEALTHY EXERCISE , (Contributed by the Department of .Health.). For the healthy child,' under suitable conditions, swimming is one of the best forms of exercise, that he can practice, both in • school - days and subsequently. It is' thoroughly enjoyable in itself; it provides vigorous exercise for the whole body without the risk of over-development of any group of muscles; it promotes the full physiological activity of the heart and lungs; a good swimmer has always a wellbuilt, healthy body. But swimming is an art which must be learned. As with every other physical activity, there is a good and a bad technique, and if a bad technique is adopted, there is a risk of converting a beneficial form of exercise into a harmful one. In instructing beginners, confidence should be established first, and various devices may be used to ensure this. Proper balance in the ..water and good limb action should be aimed at before speed or distance swimming is encouraged. To attempt either too soon, 'establishes habits of a slipshod and laboured movement difficult to eradicate later, and also is apt to cause incorrect breathing, thus producing excessive fatigue which may lead to ft definite physical harm. The importance of correct breathing, i.e., a regular intake of breath at every stroke, should be emphasised and taught from the onset. In a report of the Medical Officer of the London County Council, the physiological value of the breast-stroke, the trudgeon stroke,-and the crawl stroke is reviewed. The report states that it was the unanimous opinion of all the school doctors in attendance at certain competitions that the "crawl" stroke should not be allowed in races for children under the age of 12. This opinion was based on the observation that owing primarily to insufficient aeration of the longs, '' the strain, both cardiac and muscular, is too severe to be borne safely by young children, and in view of the danger of collapse due to .partial asphyxia, it should be prohibited in school organised competitions before the age of twelve.*' The above opinion might indeed be expressed in reference to any stroke used for distance or competition where the habit of regular breathing had not been established in the early stages of instruction. Any type of swimming whera the intake of air is insufficient or irregular, or where the head is under water, may be harmful if there is undue attempt to cover a certain distance or to obtain a maximum speed. The rule without exception should be a breath for every stroke, and any stroke which _ does not permit of this is not being correctly performed. Regular breathing during swimming should be as feasible as it is in other forms of sus-. tamed exercise. The first stroke taught to children should be the breast stroke, largely because regulated breathing and the required limb action thus come more readSAVING LIFE. During midsummer no better way of spending .the hot hours of the day can be advised than by devoting them to bathing and to learning the ' art of swimming. Not only are the muscle* of the body exercised thereby, but the breathing apparatus is developed and the skin with its myriads of fine pores and nerve endings is purified and toned up. The salt or fresh water inadvertently taken into nose or mouth acta as a douche to the mucous membranes of the cavities. Cases of enlarged tonsils and adenoidal growths are undoubtedly benefited by the tonic effect of salt water. It is important to remember that swimming should not be indulged in less than two hours after meals. A point of importance in sea-bathing is not to stay in too long. Though swimming will manufacture heat, it does so by draining muscular and so bodily energy. Not only as a form of physical exercise and a means to maintain healthy growth and vitality of the human body is swimming invaluable, but as a means; of saving life. The annals of our conntry are rich with many a record of heroism performed by some efficient swimmer. Therefore, every expansion of facilities for swimming instruction should be welcomed and every recognit tion of its value and practical usefulness as a recreational activity for both adults and children should be encouraged. It should be the ambition of every young person as opportunity occurs to belong to a life-saving club, where, from experienced members, the principles of life-saving and the right way of restoration of animation to the apparently drowned can be learned by demonstration. RESTORING APPARENTLY DROWNED. The following, instructions have been issued by the Department of Health for restoring animation to the apparently. drowned: — Don't Waste Time.—lmmediately after removal from the water, try to clear fluid from the patient's lnngs by turning him face and head downwards, so that it may run out of his mouth or nose. Open mouth and clear it of any weeds or foreign matter. Draw the tongue forward. Loosen or remove all clothing round his chest, waist, aud throat, but no time should be lost in doing so. \ If he begins to breathe, take off the wet clothing and wrap him in any dry clothing or blankets. Rub briskly and move the limbs to promote circulation of the blood. Keep patient warm and quiet for' some hours to avoid collapse. To Artificially Restore Breathing.— If breathing does not quickly commence, do as follows, and send for a doctor: — Turn patient on his front, with the ' arms extended. Turn his face to one side. Kneel astride) or to one side, facing his head. Place your hands on the small of his back, one on each side, with the thumbs parallel and nearly touching. Bend forward, to bring your weight to bear on your wrists; make steady, firm, downward pressure thus, while you count, slowly, one, two. Bend backwards to ease the pressure, while. you again count, slowly, one, two. Continue this pressing and easing, counting one, two, for each movement, until patient begins to breathe. Meanwhile send assistance to nearest house for blankets or hot bottles to apply to limbs and over region of heart, or get assistant to remove patient's clothing, rub limbs, and do whatever else is advised herein. Do not give up trying this method of performing fcrti-. ficial breathing until a doctor arrives, or for an hour or even more.