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.
EXHALATION, generally speaking, denotes effluvia or steams which arise from the surface of the earth, or other bodies, in the form of vapour.
Plants and flowers afford a grateful exhalation, provided their fragrance be not too strong: hence they should never be placed in confined apartments, as instances have occurred of persons being almost suffocated, by sleeping in rooms where quantities of fresh flowers were exposed. In serene weather, however, fresh plants or ever-greens (but by no means flowers) may be strewed with advantage, during the day, in the apartments of valetudinarians; as such vegetables, especially in sunshine, generate a vital air, which produces salutary effects on the lungs.
The exhalations arising from vast numbers of burning candles, as also from the breath of many persons respiring in the same room, are peculiarly unwholesome to weak and consumptive habits. This inconvenience may, however, be remedied by means of conical tubes, the funnels or broad ends of which should be placed so as to communicate in or above the windows, with the open air: thus, the latter will be impelled into the rooms with considerable force, and ventilate them more effectually, and at much less expence than is accomplished by fumigations, or other methods.
The vapour arising from charcoal is particularly hurtful; and, in close apartments, often productive of fatal accidents: the greatest precaution is therefore requisite, when chorcoal is employed for culinary or domestic purposes. In a
