Preventive medicine and the physician of the future / by Henry I. Bowditch.

  • Bowditch, Henry I. (Henry Ingersoll), 1808-1892.
Date:
[1874]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Preventive medicine and the physician of the future / by Henry I. Bowditch. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Driving. This is an easier kind of exercise, and may be used for those who are quite ill, or recently convalescent. But it is less healthful than either of the other methods. An entirely open carriage without any cover is the best kind of vehicle, except in the very coldest of weather. One open in front, as the chaise or buggy, phaeton, etc., stands next. The back and sides may be half thrown down, whereby the Vehicle resembles the open wagon. The back should never be rolled up while the sides are erect, because the draught thereby produced will be liable to cause a cold, and consequent injury to the lungs. The closed carriage is the least valuable, and especially when the windows are allowed to remain shut, as they often are by some during the whole drive. Gymnastics. Doubtless gymnastics may increase the power of the mus- cles ; but I greatly doubt whether they are of great service in warding off phthisis. Some who had been stalwart gym- nasts I have met with in consumption. It is also suggested that the fact, that after great exertion and training apparently to perfect health, they suddenly cease from all exercise, causes the system to suffer. The swinging of heavy clubs around the head cannot be recommended. Less exercise than that with the arms at times causes hemorrhage in those consump- tively inclined. The lighter kinds of gymnastics, as used in some schools, may be of more service. Nevertheless, all of them, from their very violence, cannot be as appropriate as the methods previously named. Boxing. Used carefully, this is a good exercise; yet there is often too much strain put on the heart and lungs, as in running, etc. Moreover, it may be questioned whether severe blows upon the chest are ever of use. Prize-fighters are said to be specially prone to consumption, and it is thought that the severe pounding they sometimes get upon the chest contrib- 8