DEFYING MIDDLE AGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19013, 8 November 1923, Page 8

DEFYING MIDDLE AGE

Because two middle-aged men, both of thorn members of Parliament, took nart in a walking match from Banbury to Oxford, the majority of people seem to have been scandalised, says “A Physician,” in a London paper. It is true that both competitors were much exhausted. But so, after all, are the competitors in such honoured “events” as the boat race or the Cup-tie final. Speaking as a doctor I cannot see why youth should possess a monopoly of strenuous pastime. As a middle-aged man I lesent the idea that if I choose to exert myself to the utmost and become greatly fatigued in doin - so I shall render myself an “object of pity'.” on the contrary I believe that middle age is capable of great physical effort, and tliat general recognition of this fact would do much to improve the health of the community. The truth is that most men and women over 40 are afraid of their own years. They have heard so much about the dangers of over-exertion that they hesitate to exert themselves at all; That is the short-cut to old age. The two members of Parliament who “dared” have done something to break down an absurd superstition. For though they suffered from fatigue they are none the worse for their experience. Many a. youth of 20, loaded with full marching kit, would have fared not better. Indeed, every doctor who served as M.O. during the war knows that often enough it was the “old ’uns - ’ who set the pace and maintained it. Thanks to the war middle age is now a healthier period than it used to be, for many men renewed the youth they need never have lost durin~ those strenuous years. Every encouragement should be given to any attempt to keep that spirit alive. Indeed, mind and body should grow up together and “pace” each other all through life. The middle-aged mind, with its rich stores and keen perceptions, needs an active, supple frame for its full expression. It will obtain, such a frhme only when men of 40 re-enter the lists of athletic competitors and prove themselves in tests of endurance, such as the walk from Banbury to Oxford. That day I believe is coming, for, as a nation, we are learning the laws of health. The ridicule of the lazy or the enfeebled will be a small price to pay for so great a benefit.