So here's something I've always wondered and just went and looked up tonight: why is the heavy ball used for exercise called a "medicine ball?" Google wasn't being very helpful, so I tried Ask Jeeves and came up with this result:
"Legend has it, that the term medicine ball goes back to their use on transatlantic ships during World War I. They were promoted by navy medics who stuffed kapok and rags into a leather basketball for the seasick or bored crew to toss around as exercise. This was a much easier form of medicine to prescribe than pills." Link.
Anyone else have any other insights on this one?