Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Supplement/Exercise

EXERCISE.—Under this head, we have already enumerated the different kinds of exercise; and their respective effects on the human body have been stated in the course of the present work. Many persons, however, being prevented from walking, riding, &c. in the open air, either by the inclemency of the weather, or from want of leisure, we have subjoined the following figure, representing a contrivance, that may serve as a substitute for dumb-bells.

The engine consists of a wooden cylinder, a, which turns on two central pivots, e, e, inserted in the upright posts.—b, b, are two rods, that may be made either of iron or of strong wood. These bars intersect each other at right angles, and are furnished with leaden weights at their extremities, c, c, c; which turn the cylinder with great velocity, when the rope d, attached to and passing round it, is pulled downwards. Farther, such weights draw the rope up again with considerable force, while it is wound backwards and forwards over the cylinder.—As this machinery may be fixed in a garret, or other spare-room at the top of a house, the rope may be conduced through the ceiling into a lower chamber; so that sedentary persons, or invalids, may take sufficient exercise, without quitting their habitation, or exposing themselves to the vicissitudes of the weather.