Pedestrianism

MODERN PEDESTRIANISM. 39 the preservation of health, which is promoted, while the bounds of moderation are not ex­ ceeded. Too violent exercise, or a total want of it, are attended with equal disadvantages. Much also depends on the kind of motion, and the various postures of the body. " The essential advantages of exercise are the following: Bodily strength is increased ; the circulation of the bloodand all other fluids promoted j the necessary secretions and ex­ cretions are duly performed ; the whole mass of the blood is cleared and refined, so that it cannot stagnate in the minutest capillary ves­ sels ; and if any obstruction should begin to take' place, it will thus be effectually removed. " That exercise is enjoined by Nature, we may learn from the whole structure of the human body 5 the number of muscles formed for motion ; and the mechanism in the circu­ lation of the blood itself. There are indeed no healthier people thanthose who take strong- daily exercise. Man in a state of health is in­ stinctively excited to muscular exertion; and children that are perfectly healthy, are con­ stantly