In swimming it is well to take
various strokes, swimming on the back, on the side, and on the face.
This brings nearly every muscle in the body into play and if the swimmer
does not stay in too long it makes him feel fine. If a feeling of
chilliness or weariness is experienced, it is time to quit the water,
dry off well and take a vigorous dry rub. Swims should always be
followed with considerable rubbing. The use of a little olive oil on the
body, and especially on the feet, is very grateful. No special rule can
be laid down for the duration of a swim, but very thin people should
generally not remain in the water more than fifteen minutes, and stout,
vigorous ones not over an hour. It is best not to go swimming until two
hours have elapsed since the last meal.
Every boy and every girl should be taught to swim, for it may be the
means of preserving their lives. It is not difficult. For the benefit of
those who start the beginners with the rather tedious and tiresome
breast stroke, will say that the easiest way to teach swimming is to get
the learner to float on his back. I have taught boys to float in as
little as three minutes, and after that everything else is easy.
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