Those who work standing. . . carpenters, sawyers, carvers, blacksmiths, masons. . . are liable to varicose veins. . . [because] the strain on the muscles is such that the circulation of the blood is retarded. Standing even for a short time proves exhausting compared with walking and running though it be for a long time. . . Nature delights and is restored by alternating and varied actions.
I realized it might be possible to do such a thing, run for money, trot for wages on piece work at a bob a puff rising bit by bit to a guinea a gasp and retiring through old age at thirty-two because of lace-curtain lungs, a football heart, and legs like varicose beanstalks.
He's a trellis for varicose veins.