Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1882 — Strength and Health. [ARTICLE]

Strength and Health.

It is quite a common idea that health keeps pace with strength. I know intelligent perspns who really think that you may determine the comparative health of a company of men by measuring their arms—that he whose arm measures twelve inches is twice as healthy as he whose arms measures but six. Tliis strange and thoughtless misapprehension has given rise to nearly all the mistakes thus far made in the physical-culture movement. I have a friend who can lift 900 pounds, and yet is an habitual sufferer from torpid liver, rheumatism, and low spirits. There are many similar cases. Th© cartmen -of our cities, who are our strongaet men, are far from the healthiest clasa, as physicians will testify.J On the contrary I have many friends who would stagger under 800 pounds that are In capital trim. But I need not elaborate a matter so familiar with physicians and other observing people. No test of health would prove more foully than a tape-line or a lift at the scale-beam. SupiKW two brothers—bank clerks —in bad health. They are measured round (he arm. Each marks exactly ten inches. They , try the scale-beam. The bar rises at exactly 300 pounds with each. Both seek health. John goes to the gymnasium, lifts heavy dumb-bells and kegs of nails until he can put up 125 pounds, and lift 900, and his arm reaches fifteen inches. Thomas goes to the mountains, fishes, hunts, spends delightful hours with the young ladies and plays cricket. Upon measuring his arm we find it scarcely larger than when he left town, while he can’t put up 00 pounds nor lift 500. Bnlwllo doubts Thomas will return to the counter the better men of the two? John should be the' better man, if strength is the principal or most essential.condition of health.-—Jfert/l/i. Bap spelling Is now considered ns an evidence of humorous writing. Some of the most dismal undertakers who have undertaken to make out a funeral bill cannot spell many of the simplest words correctly. 4 — Neto Orleans PicaijTtne. - * Tire shorter the tunnel the tweeter the kiss. i.j .