CHARLES A. HARRIMAN,
American Long-distance Walker.
EXERCISE, SUN BATHS, ETC.
The increasing interest in the matter of healthy exercise is shown by the number of athletic clubs and gymnasiums throughout the country, especially so in our colleges of learning and public institutions. Most of these have every gymnastic appliance, as also professors to give instruction; but where such do not exist a complete outfit at a very moderate expense can be obtained, all ready for use. The rowing machine has been previously described. The health lift, as a gentle exercise, is rapidly becoming an institution of necessity to persons of sedentary habits, and brings into action, when properly used, as many muscles of the human frame as any other exercise, and yet consumes but a few moments of time daily, which of itself is an important item to brain-workers and industrious humanity generally. It is so adjustable as to be alike suited for the weakest, strongest, shortest and tallest persons of either sex. Indian clubs, dumb-bells, trapeze bar and rings and striking bag may all be readily obtained, and, simpler still for in-door exercise, Goodyear’s Patent Parlor Gymnasium, which can be used by ladies and children without any fear of strain or the slightest jar to the system. Dr. Dio Lewis, in his work on New Gymnastics, gives a series of movements and illustrations without the aid of any auxiliaries, so that there can be no possible excuse for neglecting exercise. Sun and air baths, involving no expense, can always be had. By these we mean exposing the body naked a certain portion of the day to their effects. It was the custom of John Quincy Adams to walk up and down his bedroom nude, and with open windows as a preventative of colds. This he practiced both winter and summer, with the desired effect, living to be over eighty. With a view still more to the assistance and preservation of nature, General Pleasanton has written an elaborate work, claiming wonderful effects in nervous diseases from the sun’s rays as reflected through blue glass panes, and his theory is extensively practiced with very encouraging results. Dr. Samuel R. Elliott of this city, an athlete as well as a very skillful physician and scientist, has found that in some cases the blue glass alone produces too strong an effect, and believes that alternate blue and white strips, two or three inches wide, engender the proper form and quantity of electricity; and we therefore suggest that his plan be adopted. The patient should sit for an hour or more daily in such position that, whatever part of the body is affected, may be acted upon by the rays thus received. Where advice can be had it is better to obtain it, as all persons cannot even take electricity in the same manner, quantity or proportion. The glass should not be colored on the surface alone, but through and through, of a deep mazarine hue.
BATHS—HOT, COLD, ETC.
The use of water cannot be too much applied to any athlete as regards outward application, but of course cold is the most beneficial if the constitution of the recipient be of sufficient vigor; and there are but very few indeed who are so delicate as to require tepid or warm water; but even the latter are better than the absence, even partially, of the bath. Cold baths may be taken anyhow and anywhere, provided the whole of the body is immersed or thoroughly sponged over, but the most decided benefit will be derived from the plunge bath. However, equally successful results may be gained by the use of a large bath well filled with water, the body being well sluiced with the water from a large sponge. The shower is also of great benefit, but in some conditions of body the sudden shock has rendered the nervous system so irritable that it has undone all the good intended by the reaction. Where there is not the convenience of a bath of any kind, a towel dipped in water and the body thoroughly and briskly rubbed will insure a thorough cleansing of the pores of the skin, and of course a proportionate share of vigor given to the frame. In the present system of training, the pedestrian puts on his sweaters and does the work set him by his trainer, and then, when he is in a state of perfect perspiration, he throws off his wet and reeking flannels, and takes his shower with the greatest unconcern, knowing that the friction which is afterwards applied will restore the proper heat of the body after the sudden shock of the shower has closed the pores of the skin for the time and relieved him of all his previous fatigue. The rubbing restores the circulation of the small blood-vessels of the skin, and so strong and fresh do the pedestrians feel after this treatment that, when dressed, they all declare they feel no remains of their previous fatigue. Nothing but good has accrued from the treatment, and those who have undergone a trial of the sweat and shower swear by the method.
The Turkish bath is only fit to reduce an infirm and obese man to something like weight to begin work, and can only be looked upon as a luxury, and not an adjunct to training, besides being far from healthy. The hot bath is of course required when a man is stiff and tired all over from cold or overfatigue, when they will modify the symptoms; but, as they are so simple and so easily obtainable, they require no further comment. A vapor bath is of considerable use in assisting a healthy and fat man to reduce his weight; but after sweating he must be rubbed with a wet cloth, or have a shower; he should then put on a set or two of flannels, and do at least an hour of severe work, during which time the reducing process will be going on in perfection. On arriving home the wet towel should be applied, or a sponging with cold water; after a good rub, and fresh clothing being donned, it will be found there has been a good morning’s work accomplished.