Chapter 68
Section 68 of A Thousand Things Worth Knowing. This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by phone. A Thousand Things Worth Knowing by Nathaniel C. Fowler Jr.
Exercise Physical exercises are absolutely essential to health. The working man, however, is likely to obtain enough of it from his daily action, but those of sedentary habits, especially those who work indoors, will not receive sufficient exercise from their labour.
While the gymnasium is to be recommended, and while it has done much to make weak people strong, I would not advise anyone to take more than very simple gymnasium exercises without the advice of a physician. Exercises may be taken in the bedroom, with the use of light dumbbells, or without the use of any apparatus at all. Walking is the best of all, for it can be enjoyed by those in poor health or physically weak.
It takes one out of doors, and exercise out of doors is far better than that taken in a closed room. If you exercise at home, open all of the windows. Everyone should walk at least two miles a day in the open air, unless he is very weak. Select a companion, as exercise is more efficacious if enjoyed, and is not mere exercise by itself. Take long breaths in the open air every morning.
Overexercise, and much of that practice by athletes, injure the heart and work opposite from the intention. No strenuous exercise should be taken after midlife, without the advice of a physician. Any good doctor will prescribe a course of exercises for you at a nominal fee, most of them not charging more than a dollar for advice. Then those who exercise need more food, and a different kind of food from that required by those who do not exercise.
As cases differ, it is inadvisable for me to prescribe proper food. Consult your physician. Extinguishing fires from coal oil Do not attempt to smother the flame by water. Smother it with a carpet or cloth. Fainting Ordinary fainting is distinct from that which occurs from shock or collapse, the latter following serious injuries,
while fainting is common with some people and may not be serious. Those who are subject to frequent fainting spells should consult a physician that he may locate the cause. If fainting is caused from any disease of the heart or from a weak heart, death may follow, and such persons should be under care of a physician. When fainting occurs, place the patient on his back with his head as low or lower than the body. Raise the legs. He should have plenty of fresh air.
If fainting occurs in a crowd, ask the spectators to move away. If indoors, open all doors and windows, loosen the clothing, and sprinkle water upon the face, at the same time applying smelling salts or spirits of camphor held close to the nose, but not touching it. The body may be rubbed to assist the circulation. If the person does not quickly revive, apply gentle heat or a mustard plaster to the pit of the stomach.
When he recovers, give him hot tea or coffee, and never more than a moderate amount of alcoholic stimulants. Keep him in a reclining position for some time after he has recovered.
