ECONOMY OF HEALTH.

Western Star, 3 May 1904, Page 2

ECONOMY OF HEALTH.

A problem which every one should aim to solve is, "How may I best em- i ploy in my given occupation the ' measure of health and strength which I possess ?" • '. £ It is a law of nature that the exercise of functious results in an increase of their ability. Muscles become larger by exercise. Brain matter, by constant intellectual employment, increases in weight and the "brain cells" become greater in number. This is true of every bodily and mental function. But any function may be wrongly employed. When a muscle is constantly nsed to excess its atrophies, or becomes smaller. The brain, if held to closely to its task, at length refuses to act.

Physical exercise is often prever ted by being employed at improper times, as immediately after a meal; by being too hurried and short, and when one rushes to catch a train, or being so prolonged as to produce extreme fatigue. A young man was recently advised to take physical exercise out of dooi's. With an exclamation he proceeded to relate how, after a morning of close confinement at office work, he took a hurried lunch and at once rushed to a series of appointments, the distance between which amounted to several miles. It was explained that this was not exercise in the proper sence of the world. It is impossible to digest food, to exercise severely, to prosecute business, and to do all well at the same time.

In order to preserve health to old age one must exercise his muscles and his brains so that'each, shall receive a proper amount of solid, steady work, and, what is equally important, a proper amount of rest.