The writer visited recently many of the training-camps,
both military and naval; and when he came away he
was quite prepared to agree with those who praise
the flower of the flock as being superior to that they
have seen on the other side. The point is that
Doctor Sargent is absolutely right in asserting that
we ought not to have had so many rejections.
It is time for us to realize that a man who is out
of balance physically should be looked after.
Moreover, men should not become out of balance.
The truth of the matter is that our mechanical devices
have gone so far toward taking the place of manual
labor that we only have one line of physical development—our
athletic sports. If, therefore, these are not
made broad enough and thorough enough and accessible
enough, we are likely to have just what is happening
now—namely, a slump when it comes to measuring
up to the standard instituted by the military authorities.
Our young men do flock to the cities and city life
means crowded conditions, lack of outdoor exercises,
vitiated atmosphere, and a minimum of sunshine and
of the other elements that go to perfecting and keeping
up a robust and enduring physique.
THE VALUE OF EXERCISE
Now exercise is the most important factor toward counteracting
these unnatural conditions. Air, bathing, and
diet aid, but we must have exercise in order to get
the energetic contraction of the larger muscles of
the body which goes so far toward regulating the physical
tone. We must have what are called compensatory
exercises, beginning as far down as the grammar-schools
and continuing right through the universities and
professional schools into general business and civic
life. This war has opened our eyes; it should
be a warning, and it ought to result in a far broader
comprehension of what physical condition and physical
education really mean. It is in this way only
that we can meet the demands of modern civilization
without an accompanying deterioration of the physical
condition of our people. No one has set a finer
example in this respect than President Wilson himself,
who, realizing the enormous strain that was coming
upon him, has systematically and conscientiously prepared
for it. Early every morning, long before most
Washingtonians are so much as turning over for their
pre-getting-up nap, the President is out and off around
the golf-course. Also Doctor Grayson has prepared
a system of exercises for his use when outdoor work
is impossible.
