d its results are doubly effective. However, as in some cases
group action may be impossible, this book furnishes the data for
individual practice as well.
All the exercises described are possible for the individual as well as
for the group. Should a man determine to follow them out alone, he must
make up his mind that there shall be no interference with his carrying
out his program with regularity and exactness. He must not for a moment
believe that he can miss the exercises one day and then make up for the
lapse by doubling them the next day. He must always follow the
setting-up exercises with his walk and not do the setting-up in the
morning and then wait till afternoon for his walk. It is the combination
that produces the most effective results.
[Illustration: EFFECT OF THIRTY DAYS OF TRAINING UPON A COMPANY. THESE
MEN ARE CARRYING IRON BARS WEIGHING NINE POUNDS EACH]
[Illustration: PRACTISING AND MARCHING WITH IRON BARS WEIGHING NINE
POUNDS EACH]
In a group the leader constantly cautions the men as to carelessness or
slackness. The individual having no leader must always keep his mind
fixed upon the exact way in which his exercises should be performed.
When he puts his hands behind his head in "Neck Firm" or "Head" he must
keep his elbows back and his head up, while the chest should be arched.
When he bends forward in the prone position he must not allow his head
to droop. When he raises his knees in alternate motions he must bring
his knees well up. When he does the exercise of leaning up against the
wall, by means of the extended arm and hand, he must keep the distance
far enough from the wall to bring about a certain amount of real
effort by the hand, arm, and shoulder. And so it goes. It is for this
reason that all the exercises are so carefully described and the method
and manner of walking, marching, or "hiking" receive so much attention.
WORK AND HYGIENE
In a book recently published by one of the highest authorities on
hygiene in the country, the following statements are made, statements
which would prove of especial interest to those of us who have had the
pleasure of being members of that "exclusive official Washington club,"
or of the Senior Service:
The problem of the mental worker is to get sufficient physical
exercise to keep the mind and body at its maximum efficiency. This
problem gets more and more acute as he gets older. The amount of
work necessary to keep the
|