PERSONAL HORSE-POWER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10995, 6 February 1914, Page 4

PERSONAL HORSE-POWER.

The way tho human body is used is of the utmost importance- if tho person is to have the best of health of which the person is capable. With a person it is much tho samo m with the automobile, says the Bulletin of the American Medical Association. One represents a 50' horse-power engine, another a 40, another a 30, still another 20, and if the body is used rightly this full amount of energy can be developed without harm. If the body is used wrongly, as is true with the machine, it may be ruined in developing half tho amount of the designated horse-power. When rightly used the parts are all in balance; there is no undue strain to any part, the chest is carried high, so that the breathing is easy, and there is the full amount of " wind power." The abdominal organs.are properly sitpp6rted and work with the least difficulty, the digestion and nutrition are good. If the body is drooped or buckles in the middle the whole body suffers, and many times disease conditions start in this way. In such drooped position the chest is flattened, so that the lungs cannot- work rightly and become weak, the abdomen is telescoped and the stomach, bowels and other organs are crowded together and work badly, so that indigestion and constipation result. Health, or the best possible efficiency, the full .horsepower of the person, cannot result under such conditions any more than a"n engine can develop its rated horsepower if the cylinders are full of carbon, or that the fuel in the furnace can be consumed properly if the drafts are not properly open or the ashes are not removed. The position most favourable for health and in which the load or burden of life can be carried most easily is with the body, both when sitting and when standing, as it would be if a person were trying to sit or stand as tall as possible. This gives the high chest, the flat abdomen, the erect head, square shoulders, straight knees, and the springs of tho whole body are set in tho best way. This is the position recognised by the athletic trainers, by the singing teachers and by all those who are expected to train individuals for great effort. The same position is best for everyone, whether the effort be great or small, or whether the work he with the head or muscle.