EXERCISE, in general, is such an agitation of the body, as produces salutary effects in the animal economy.
Exercise may be divided into two classes, active and passive: the former includes walking, hunting, dancing, running, leaping, swimming, riding on horseback, fencing, the military exercise, and, in short, all such games as require muscular exertions. Passive exercise comprehends riding in a coach, sailing, swinging, &c.; all which we shall notice in their alphabetical order.
Exercise in the open air is, in every respect, preferable to that in houses, and close apartments. It ought, however, to be commenced and concluded in a gradual manner, and by no means abruptly. It should be continued only while we enjoy it without fatigue, and ought to be relinquished as soon as it becomes a task. The best time for this purpose is the forenoon, or some time before dinner, when the stomach is not too much distended: thus it increases the circulation of the blood: attenuates and divides the fluids; and promotes a regular perspiration, as well as a due secretion of all the humours. It likewise raises the animal spirits, strengthens the muscular parts, creates appetite, and aids digestion. Hence those who take proper daily exercise, are in general robust, and afflicted with few diseases.
On the other hand, violent exercise, or even fast walking, immediately before or after meals, is extremely pernicious; for it impedes digestion, and impels to the surface of the body those fluids which are intended to promote the solution of aliment.—Immoderate exercise weakens the body, destroys the elasticity of the fibres, and necessarily accelerates both respiration, and the circulation of the blood; which may cause a variety of accidents, namely, the bursting of small blood-vessels, inflammations, and collections of blood towards certain parts of the body, such as the heart and brain. The saline acrimony of the fluids being thus more disengaged, the fat liquefies; and ardent fevers, palsies, &c. are the melancholy consequences.
Of still greater importance is the exercise of children; for, on its proper regulation, their future health and straitness, in a great measure, depend. This subject having very lately been perspicuously treated by Dr. Struve, we shall subjoin only a few elementary principles from his work on Physical Education: 1. Children ought to enjoy perfect liberty to move, leap, and take exercise at pleasure. 2. They should not be taught to rely on the assistance of others; but endeavour to make every effort consistent with their own strength. 3. When in the act of falling, they ought not to be seized by the arm; and, after a fall, should not be too much pitied. 4. Every kind of spontaneous exercise is preferable to that taken by compulsion. 5. Exercise, though at an early period of infancy, must be uniform, that is, not confined to particular limbs of the body, nor at any time carried to excess.—We sincerely recommend these rules to the serious consideration of those who are engaged in the arduous and important task of rearing children; as we are fully persuaded that, by a timely attention to those circumstances, many accidents, and much deformity, may be effectually prevented.