EXERCISE.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4228, 14 February 1921, Page 1

EXERCISE.

"Long walks cure more illness than most medicines," says Sir James Cantlie, a distinguished British surgeon, and while the sage counsel that underlies his dictum will probably not increase his popularity in his profession, yet if his advice is followed by hundreds of "invalides iniaginaires" will be the gainers in pocket, in content and in well-being. While ill recent years there has been a growing tendency on the part of general practitioners to prescribe less and less medicine, the patients have pinned their faith more firmly to the efficacy of pills and potions. Thousands of persons see great virtue in a bottle of medicine, and in their eyes its curative value is enhanced if the prescription from which it is compounded bears the initials of a fashionable physician. Sir .Tame* takes us all into his consulting room. and addresses us j collectively, "If you are bilious or j unwell, don't believe it is hereditary. J Place the blame where it belongs, on ! yourself, and go out and take some'j exercise;" . . . "Don't be afraid of hurting your heart," he continues. ! "It is the toughest organ in our anatomy, and if your heart palpitates when you go up and down stairs, .keep on taking exercise until it stops palpitating.". This is a bombshell in the camp of the valetudinarians, who for years have hugged the belief to themselves j that their hearts were weak. They have given their relatives and themselves anxious and depressing hours that were unnecessary, if Sir James Cantlie is to be credited. "This habit of constantly taking medicine is all rubbish," he concludes.. It is' unfortunate that his advice is given us without charge. If a heavy fee had been charged for his offering it would have been valued more highly.