THE BODY AND ITS HEALTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 17, 17 August 1888, Page 25

THE BODY AND ITS HEALTH.

Mb. A. M. Brown, who has just been engaged by the New York Police Department to introduce the Boston system into New York, has made a deep study of the development of the human physique, and has had before him more men for examination than perhaps any other expert in his line. He has had a complete record of all the men that he has examined, and these records form valuable data for the demonstrations of his theory. " There is very general ignorance as to what constitutes a perfect physique," said the examiner. " Most people imagine that big, over* grown, abormally developed men are the ideals of masculine strength and symmetry: This is a very grave error. While these men at times possess, apparently, herculean strength, they are at times weak past comprehension, and are rarely as good as men of more normal development. The mere possession of muscle, without stamina, constitution, and staying qualities, is of very little consequence in any avocation that calls tor unexpected and prolonged drains upon the Byslem. I have had men come before me that the uninitiated would declare could floor a bull or give (Sullivan something to do, who, when put to the test, have been found weak as children in borne points. They were mere shams. The state of the heart and vital organs generally, of the wind and pulse after sudden exertion, and the symmetrical development of the muscular system count in tbe general average. The best condition for a man to present is not that of the trained athlete. On the contrary, I believe that heavy gymnastic exercises are hurtful and calculated to hasten dissolution ; that is, a man who develops into an all-around athlete is apt to exhaust his vitality and overstimulate his organs, and the result is premature ageing and death. Athletes are a short-lived race, rarely reaching an advanced age. The man of sedentary habits, whose body is well nourished, whose habits are correct, and who takes just enough light exercise to keep in good condition is, barring constitutional tendencies to disease, the man who will be the best preserved and enjoy the best health. The trained athlete is much more susceptible to derange* ments of the system than the man who has not abnormally developed his muscles. They are a nervous, ill-tempered class of men. They are worried at small things. The most fretful and miserable fellows imaginable are the crew of a college boat club who are trained for "a great event. They are as nervous as old women. " There is a very general mistake made by men who think that they need exercise, and that it is the over-development of the muscles. That is jußt what you do not want to achieve. The developed muscle is not so good as the normal muscle. Let the muscles remain soft,

Exercise not to abnormally increase the muscle, but merely to keep n P health. When you have succeeded, through training and haggtfng weights, in making the muscle hard, corded, and knotted, yoo~7iave injured yourself. You have, in a measure, destroyed the elasticity of the muscles. What a mau requires is a symmetrical development ; and that may be secured, not through gymnastic exercise, but through diet, gentle exercise, and developing the chest. The athlete is not a symmetrically developed man ; he is an example of abnormal development. Look at the statute of Apollo Belvedere. Do you see any corded muscles, any stiffened muscle, bound limbs ? No ; yon see a model cf human symmetry, with muscles only discernible through their rounded contour. You do not see great cords in the legs or over the shoulders. The figure has not the athlete's stDop. If you observe an athlete you will perceive that the layers of muscle upon the shoulders cause a stoop that is quite recognisable. Abnormal development shrinks the muscles, distorting the outlines, and the apparent increase in eiae is often produced through the absorption of the adipose covering. " I am more and more convinced every year of my life that all a man needs in the way of exercise to keep him healthy is the use of calisthenics, two-pound dumb-bells and a good, stiff walk. Never exercise within an hour before and after meals, and not sooner than three hours after a heavy dinner. Exercise outside if possible. After exercise take a cold shower if the system will stand it, otherwise a tepid sponge bath. In general, the system is benefitted after a cold shower, if a reaction sets in within five or ten minutes after drying with a coarse towel. If, however, the shower is painful, and is followed by a chill and a feeling of lassitude, do not take it, and it is injurious to you. One should on no account exercise in his street garments. The reasons are obvious. Let your muscles alone and dop t worry. You won't be able to carry a barrel of flour or turn a flipfUp, but you will be all the better for the inability, for you will probably be ahve years after the other fellow has gone to his reward. Men are like candles. You can't burn them at both ends and expect to preserve them as long as with rational handling. No one wonld accuse the lion, tiger, or others of the feline tribe, with poor muscular development, and yet these beasts exercise no more than the pursuit of food necessitates. Nature gives the longest life to the Bedentary animal. The man who vegetates, only doing a moderate amount of exercise, preserving a calm and even temperament, enjoys the longest span. " Sometimes, when I look at the splendidly developed muscles of an all-round athlete, I can't help pitying him, for I know that his race is apt to be a short one. He has overdone it, and Nature always resents crowding. To return to the candidate* for the police and fire force. I have most frequently to reject mea whose method of life has put an undue strain upon some part of the body. It is not the most promising- looking candidate that gets the highest rating I examine for symmetry. A man is the greatest work of God when he is symmetrical, not when he is merely muscular. A man who possesses a good form may cultivate eymmetry with the simple apparatus that I have indicated, when he would dieastrously fail if placed in possession of a complete gymnasium, if he abused the use of the ajpliances."