Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1885 — About Walking. [ARTICLE]

About Walking.

Every healthy person, man or woman, should be a good walker, able at any time to walk six to twelve miles a day at least, and double that when gradually brought up to it. The points to be attended to are to see that the walk be brisk and vigorous, not of a loitering or dangling kind; that there be some object in the walk besides it being a routine constitutional (i. e. not like the staid promenade of the orthodox ladies’ school), and, if possible, in pleasant company; that there be no tight clothing, whether for the feet or the body, which will constrain or impede the natural movements of the limbs and trunk; and that the walk be taken as far as possible in the fresh country air. In regard to the later particular, although towns are increasing so rapidly as to make it almost a journey to get out of them on foot, still we have so many suburban tramways and railway lines that in a few minutes we can find ourselves in the country, where the air is fresh and pure. Whenever an opportunity presents itself for a little climbing in the course of a walk, it should be taken advantage of. We gain variety of muscular action, as well as inciease the exertion, and we get into regions of purer air and fresher breeze at the same time.

What may be considered as the weak point in walking as a mode of exercise is the comparatively small play v. hich it gives to the muscles of the shoulders and chest, while it is still less for those of the arm. This should be compensated for by the use of light dumb bells or Indian clubs, or some other form of exercise which brings in play the arms and shoulders. One of the forms of exercise which requires the action of the muscles of the arms and shoulders, as well as those of the trunk and legs, is swimming. This, however, for many reasons, cannot be used as a means of exercise except by a few, and at certain seasons of the year, but where possible it should always be practiced. The great pity is that boys and girls do not learn it, as a rule, while at school. Every large town should be -well provided with swimming baths, and if it could be made compulsory for scholars at a certain age, say 12, to learn to swim, it would be a great advantage to all, and also be the means of saving many lives.— Herald of Health.

Animals of different species can get along together in the same pen with some approach to harmony, but the oldest man living never saw a crowd of boys play marbles together without a row.