The new gymnastics for families and schools, by D. Lewis. Together with The dumb-bell instructor (by M. Kloss, tr. by D. Lewis) and Pangymnastikon (by D.G.M. Schreber, tr. by D. Lewis).

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 Excerpt: ...of exercise, have become debilitated, must not think that by the violent use of dumb bells they can make up for lost time, or immediately become strong; with such a course, they will be likely to reach exactly opposite results, and become disgusted with gymnastic studies. Nature will not permit such transitions. No machine can suddenly be put in motion at its highest possible speed, and as suddenly stopped, without risk of destroying it. The body is more especially injured by such a course. Its nutrition, by which only it can be built up, is a slow process, and cannot by violent efforts be accelerated. When gymnastic exercises unfit one for his usual occupation, they fail in their object. It is easy to perceive the extent to which they may be carried, and to adapt them to the habits of life, by which means only can they prove a foundation for the security of health. Take time, therefore, to go through with the exercises in a manner most appropriate to the bodily conditions. Avoid a sudden transition from one exertion to another. Do not engage in difficult dumb bell exercises immediately after fatiguing mental labor; or just before or after a hearty meal; for, then, the life-forces centre in the stomach, and if withdrawn to the muscles the process of digestion is disturbed. Those who have much mental labor to perform, should avoid fatiguing exercises in the morning, as the diversion of nervous energy from the brain will render thinking more difficult. To such, easy exercises in the morning will drive away that languor which sometimes follows sleep, and prepare the person for active brain labor; while in the afternoon, which is not favorable to exhausting efforts of the mind, appropriate physical exercise may be taken. For some, ten minutes exercise with dumb...