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Any marked change from our accustomed manner of life should begin gradually. For one who, in winter, has never taken any other than a warm or tepid bath, to plunge suddenly and without preparation into a tub of cold water might be attended with serious results, while by gradual stages the same point may be reached with positive advantage to health and comfort.
The popular error still prevails that a well equipped gymnasium and costly apparatus are necessary to healthful physical development. It is an important part of the object of this work to show that with little or no outlay for apparatus, and with the expenditure of very little time, both health and vigor may be secured and preserved, and the success and happiness of life
be greatly promoted.
The hindrances to a more general adoption of a course of physical training as a means of promoting health and strength are:
1. Ignorance of the advantages to be secured.
2. Distrust of the efficiency of the methods.
3. Mistaken notions concerning cost of appliances.
4. The fear that too much time will be required to make the exercise
profitable.
5. The belief that the old way is the best-to take your chances while you
are well, and send for the doctor when you are ill.
Who can fully estimate the value of health? It affects not only the happiness, but also the usefulness of every life. Without it, no substantial success can be achieved. By due attention to the simple laws of health, involving fresh air, pure water, wholesome food, sensible clothing, proper exercise, rest, and sleep, nine-tenths of all the ailments that afflict mankind,
and the largest amount of human misery resulting therefrom, would be prevented.
