How to get strong and how to stay so / by William Blaikie.

  • William Blaikie
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: How to get strong and how to stay so / by William Blaikie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ^^MR. Bryant’s mode op life. “ The following letter, written by Mr. Bryant several years ago, describing the habits of his life, to which he partly ascribed the wonderful pre- servation of his physical and mental vigour, will be read with interest now : New York, March 30, 1871. To Joseph H. Richards, Esq.: My dear Sir,—I promised some time since to give you some account of my habits of life, so far at least as regards diet, exercise and occupations. I am not sure that it will be of any use to you, although the system which I have for many years observed seems to answer my purpose very well. I have reached a pretty advanced period of life, without the usual infirmities of old age, and with my strength, activity, and bodily faculties generally, in pretty good preservation. How far this may be the effect of my way of life, adopted long ago, and steadily adhered to, is perhaps uncertain. I rise early; at this time of tho year about half-past five; in summer, half an hour or even an hour earlier. Immediately, with very little encumbrance of clothing, I begin a series of ex- ercises, for the most part designed to expand the chest, and at the same time call into action all the muscles and articulations of the body. These are performed -with dumb-bells, the very lightest, covered with flannel, with a pole, a horizontal bar, and a light chair swung around my head. After a full hour, and sometimes more, passed in this manner, I bathe from head to foot. When at my place in the country, I sometimes shorten my exer- cises in the chamber, and, going out, occupy myself for half an hour or more in some work which requires brisk exercise. After my bath, if breakfast be not ready, I sit down to my studies till I am called. #*####
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