American Journal of Diseases of Children, Vol. 25: 1923 (Classic Reprint) - Tapa blanda

Excerpt from American Journal of Diseases of Children, Vol. 25: 1923

It may be in place to mention here that the quantitative determina tion of the mechanical output of the human engine is not as easy as that of a steam engine, for example. In the latter case all factors involved can be measured accurately. The human engine, however, can draw on its reserve power, which varies with different persons, depend ing largely on a factor ruled by the central nervous system. NO method has yet and probably never will be found for its determination. There fore, the results of a study of the quantity Of human muscular output must be relative. This applies also to the data recorded in this paper.

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This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from American Journal of Diseases of Children, Vol. 25: 1923

Muscular exercise is one of the first instincts of the human organism. The stretching out and manipulating of the legs and arms is among the earliest reflexes of the new-born. Because muscular exercise is so constantly a part of daily life and so obvious in its practical application, medical practitioners have come to regard its physiology as an established truth, into the true nature of which search is unnecessary. The subject of muscular exercise should be of more than mere academic interest to the pediatrist. A clearer understanding of the physiology of this subject and the establishment and effective application of physiologic standards will lead to a higher degree of efficiency of our school children and will increase our knowledge of diagnosis in children from a functional point of view. Only on the basis of quantitative scientific investigation of the physical capacity of normal children of all ages and of the effect of muscular activity of all types on the circulatory system, can we ever hope adequately to provide for physical education and successfully to cope with the prevention of those diseases in children which are dependent on muscular deficiency.

When we recall that 30 per cent. of our soldiers were physically defective; when we learn from a survey of 20,000 New York school children that from 20 to 30 per cent. have spinal curvature, that about 10 per cent. have other postural defects, that from 6 to 30 per cent. suffer from malnutrition, that 5 per cent. exhibit other signs of muscular insufficiency; when we understand that in a survey of a public school in Minneapolis, 8 per cent. of the children were found to be asthenic, the analogue of soldiers with "effort syndrome"; when we bear in mind that all of these conditions are preventable and curable by general physical education and properly administered corrective exercises, we must acknowledge the practical importance of a fundamental study of the effect of various types of work and play under all obtaining conditions on the circulatory system of the child.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.