PHYSICAL CULTURE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5421, 31 July 1906, Page 4

PHYSICAL CULTURE.

Tho following paper was read at a recent meeting of the Temuka Mechanics' Jnstitate Debating Society : A prominent writer on physical culture, speaking of the need of physical fitness, once said in an article called "The Peril ot the Twentieth Century": --"Step by ship, little by little, inch by inch, it is creeping upon us ! Hideous as a Gorgon, subtle as a serpent, with the soft treat of a panther it is working the steady advance. AH unaware of our fearful peril, we givo no heed to its silent, insidious approach. At times we even smile upon it and put out a hand to c a ress it, careless of the danger that it may fasten its octopus arms about us. Already hundreds upon hundreds arc within its deadly embrace, fallen there by their own ignorance and carelessness, writhing in its crushing grasp, suffering untold miseries, while they continue to live, and being dragged down to death in countless numbers, when they should bo in the very prime of strong and joyous life. The same of this horrible monster is, "Physical Decay." Can any reasonable being deny for one second tlie truth of the statement ? Unmiestionubly one of the greatest needs in our midst to-day, if not the greatest, is the necessity for healthy men and healthy women. If any one factor w a s needed to prove this, the late Boer War fumishc* R striking example. In Manchester 10,000 men volunteered for service in South Africa, and only 1-100 were lit for a line regiment, Of .•ourse in Now Zealand, where the cities and towns are not so largo or congested, and the general conditions, especially of the workers, are so much better.' tho proportion of rejects would probably be much lower, but still iln-re- is no doubt that not 'lO per •t«t would be lit for military service if called upon. If only 40 per cent of our male population are fit for military'service, during the vigorous years of 'manhood, how large a percentage are really fitted to stand the wear and tear of fife ? Why is it that a man works like a slave to own a. beautiful home and keep it in perfect repair, vet will neglect 'his own body, permitting it to weaken wd decay like a rotten building until death overtakes him. The modern business man lives at a high pressure, and he who enter* the lisls to win, must be properly prepared. If in youth he has built up nis body to a high state of perfection then he has a reserve force he can .iraw upon in 'after life. It is the duty of everv man and every woman tonequire such a knowledge of themselves as will citable them in an ratelligent manner to minister to the ailments to which the body is exposed. If you ask inanv people what physical culture means, they say, "Oh ! swinging dumb-bells, and developing muscle." .1 say "No, decidedly *ot," Physical cul ture is the science of living, n system of proper exercise, diet, and habits, Hint keep a man's powers ,ut the highest pitch. A man who is a physical culturist in the true sense of the word is alwavs particular that his rooms, especially his bedroom, are suppli'M with pure air at till times. Physical cult lire, in a word, is that which | makes your sleep sound, your eye bright, 'your digestion strong, your muscle supple, and your veins filled with rich, warm blood.