SHRUBB'S BOOK ON PUNNING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 4

SHRUBB'S BOOK ON PUNNING.

If tho prowess of athletes is to bo judged by tho number of records they hold, thou Alfred Shrubb is j ustly entitled to bo called, "tho world's greatest pedestrian/'' tho epithet by which he is dignified on the title-page of his book on “Kuuniug/'■ which has just been published by Health and Strength, Limited, Strand, London, W.C., at 2s Gd net. -Debarred as ho is from taking part iu tho Olympic U umes, ho says, that tho next best tiling ho can do for his country is to give younger aspirants to fame tho benefit of his experience by way of advice. No man's word could carry greater weight on any subject connected with long distance running, but, us ho points out, he la also qualified to speak with, authority on sprinting matters as well, for ho was iutimatoiy associated with A. F. l)u£foy during their joint tour in Australasia. Ho issues a solemn warning against training too early or too hard. Eighteen is soon enough to begin, and no ono should attempt to qualify for more than one kind of race. For instance, a sprinter should not attempt the quarter, nor a mile, the four miles, much less the long distances. Tho book is full of practical hints and pithy sayings, such as tho advice to sprinters. “Uet oil with a burst, and burst inoro every step/' Ho recommends dieting, walking, from 8i to 9 hours sleep, aud shows how a business man may approximate the training methods of one who has more leisure. Spirit drinking and smoking aro coudomeud as tho worst possible vices, but ho confcs-

r-cs to a liking for a gin's of ole, while rome relaxation such ;u- billiards or tho theatre is not only harnhvs but m-res-arv. There arc munv excellent illustrations. ATHLETICS AND HEAKT TKOUBL:. During tin* past deer.d' 1 , says a prominent medical man. one* of C.o jmvt import;?Mb points which has thrm-T itself forward compelling the attention of health officials, recorders of vital nfatislics and tlie medical profession at large, has bem the persistent increase in tho mortality rate from di-iv.se of tho heart.

Tho causes aro many, and among thorn wo must take account of the modern ("mloucy to ovor-indulgonce in aiiileiic sports. Jt in well known that overael ivitv in this direction, with the nhysieal ‘train resulting from keenly contested games, leaves its imprint on the physical status of the immature or ■undpr-developed youth. Insuronca companies consider athlete “poor risks, and iliis altitude is well grounded. It would seem that the medical protcsSion might well tako cogni:.anee of thin matter io ascertain what bearing it has, if any, upon this question of the increase in tho prevalence of and death rate from heart disease. KhounuiHsm and alcoholism are cited with consistent regularity ns the immediate cause of heart disease. Discarding tho enmeshing set of theories which are advocated as tho primal root of rheumatic alu-ctions, we aro safe in assuming that expo.nuo to the elements, lack of proper nourishment and overiudulgcaco in alcoholic drink and rich foods aro contributory causes, and these factors aro all parts of tho life led by us at tuo present time. Equanimity is tiio need of the times ami tho need or tiio people. Let us teach if, let us live according to its law. In calmness of mind and evenness of purpose wo may liml tho panacea the world is seeking to combat mu ms arising irom mental and physical unrest.