The native American., 1840-01-11
PHYSIOLOGICAL EDUCATION.


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PHYSIOLOGICAL EDUCATION
1t is an undoubted fact, that most of The dis.
eases which aifict humanity arise from errors ir
ine means of life. And when we consider the
lamentable neglect there exists in our systems oil
Ieducation of the study Of man in his physical
composition, we cannot be much astonshed that
the most erroneous doctrines and fatal errors,
should pass current with all the credit OF estah.
lished truths. Whilst knowledge Of the veg
etable, mineral and, indeed, the animal kingdom,
as far as the brute creation is concerned, has been
placed in the most popular and inviting form for
the instruction of the young, knowledge of the
complicated and wonderful machine which con-
stitues their physical being, is seldom placed
within their reach. Until physiology is made
an essential part of education, we must cease to
Iwonder that quackery should flourish. In the
artificial state in which we live, man is assailed
with SO many temptations to transgress the die
tates Of nature that thorough knowledge Of
the dangers to be apprchended from yielding to
! them, ought to be familiar to his mind; and it
can only be rendered so, by making him acquain-
ted with the delicate tissues which might be Sc
riously, fnot fatally injured by neglect, and with
the beautiful organization which may become
permanently deranged by foolish and pampering
;lndulgences. study of physiology and structure
Of the human frame, should form asconspicuous
part in the study of both males and females
That very admirable work, "The Young Ladies'
IFrlend," contains some valuable hints on this
tsubject. The auhorsss observes &c Women
l,udy all the arts and sciences which are fitted
to embellish life, whilst they fail to become &C
Iquainted with that one subject on which de-
ipends the exercise and full enjoyment of all else
that they know. They spend years in learning
ITO sing, without devotng one hours attention TO
tthc construction Of that wonderful instrument
tthe lungs They pursue all other kinds ofknow-
ledge, and neglect that which is necessary to the
due observance Of the laws of their being and,
1y ignorantly transgressing those laws, they bring
On disease, and are prematurely cut off in the
bloom of life" The authoress farther remarks,
-" Let it not be said, that knowledge of this
description is superhuous to the unprofessional
reader for society groans under the load of suf-
terlng inflicted by causes susceptible of removal
but left in operation in consequence Of our un-
acquaintance with our own structure, and with
the relations of the different parts of the system
10 each other and to external Objects" One of
the most important physiological facts, and with
(which every one should be familiar, is the inti-
mate relation which exists between external in
yhuences and our own structure. One of the most
important OF these is thateot climate Our limits
will not permit us to consider all the conditions
F., of the atmosphere which affect the human con.
stitution. We shall content ourselves with brief
! ly auding to the effects of suts4n transitions
from heat to cold, with the view of showing
chow essential knowledge of our own structure
! is, for the possession and continuance of health.
! The life of William Cobbett furnishes one of
the most instructive examples to young men,
! dependent only on their own resources, which
ave remember to have seen recorded. Born of
poor ana obscure parents, he was br ought up
without educaton and at the age of twenty was
scarcely able to read intelligibly. At this time.
or soon after, he ran away from home and found
himself in London with only half crown in
his pocket. lie however fortunately found en-
ployment, aud devoted all his spare moments TO
the Improvement of his mind, and at the end of
year had read all the books of circul a,ng
library TO whicn he had found means to SUBJ
>crioe' ana had made himself a very fair wri-
ter. Alter this he enlisted as soldier, and
came to America, where he underwent many
hardships but amidst them all lie obstinatriy
persevered in the cultivation of his mind and
in the tumut and hustle Of a camp commenced
md completed the study of the English gram
mar.
by such means it was that Mr.. Cobbett be-
came one OF the most powerful ana voluminous
writer's of the age, and finally, raised himself to
seat in the British Parliament BY such means
he poor unlettercd boy without relations and
'rlends, whilst private soldier, and on pay of
'lxpence per day, laid the foundation of a name
which is not soon to be forgotten. His bed was
his study, his knapsack was his book ease, a
BOARD laid across his lap was his writing desl,
:, his time the hours redeemed from The duties and
onstle OF camp. Even to buy pen or sheet
u paper, he was obliged to forego some portion
u his daily food, already narrowed down to al
>canty pittance, and to obtain light for the eve
nng was utterly impossible yet amidst all these
iifhcnltss, Mr.. Cobbett obtained much infor-
cation, and a correct knowledge Of the English
| onguc, upon which was built the superstruc.
! uFe of his subsequent fans"