Christchurch Physical Culture Society.

White Ribbon, Volume 10, Issue 115, 15 February 1905, Page 4

Christchurch Physical Culture Society.

Under the auspices of the above society, Dr. Jeffreys delivered on Feb. 3 a lecture on “Longevity.’ During the course of a most interesting lecture, the doctor stated that the importance of physical exercises in giving not only due development to the body, but also vigour and strength, could not be over-rated. It was in that direction that the physical culture movement of the day was likely to render the greatest service to the health and longevity of the present generation, and of those to come. Alcohol was an important factor in the shortening of life. Taken in any quantity, it tended to lessen muscular power, muscular action, and nervous sensibility. There was no part in its action in which it could be regarded as a true food. Speaking of diet, the lecturer said there was no doubt that the majority of people consumed too much animal food. A green old age was the treasure of the man who had lived near to nature.

On Feb. Bth, Dr. Hammersley delivered the second of the series of lectures to women, the subject being “ The Periodicity of Woman’s Health.” The lecturer said that the subject was

a very important one from a social as well as a physiological point of view. Now that women h id entered so largely into the commercial world, it was imperative that, as far as possible, their health should be kept up to the normal standard. There was no necessity for the incapacitating of women from their ordinary occupations so frequently as occurred in modem life, and it was largely, if not solely, the result of wrong living. These disturbances were unnatural, and did not occur among savage races. Fresh air, cleanliness, proper rest and exercise, plain food, and common sense clothing, were the chief factors for the attainment of a healthy and happy life, and for the bearing of healthy an i happy children.