Eastern times., 1855-12-06
For the Eastern Times.
School Papers. No. Z.

Mr.. EDITOR With your permission, pur-
pose to call the attention Of my fellow teachers
to some of the ideas expressed in the school
committees last report. On page twelve, the
Superintendent has made some very just re-
marks upon the duties of teachers in reference
to the physical health of the children under
their care. These remarks are worthy the deep
consideration of every teacher. No part of
teachers labor is of more Importance than at
tention to the health of their pupils. A sound
mind can only put forth its full powers in
sound body. Half of what passes among men
for talent, is nothing but strong health. do
not here SO much refer to the sound mans
power Of mastering truths by intuition. as to
his ability of persistence in holding on to any
work. after weaker hands are forced to let go;
his power of continuing the chase for a noble
prize, after weaker limbs faint, or Of stretching
the vison on and on. after common eyes swim
and darken.
So universal and long continued have been
the violations of the physical laws, and so ON
nipotent is human suffering the consequence,
that the very tradition of perfect state of
health has died out from among US. We are
wonted to the presence Of debility and pain.
And so frightfully. so disgracefully numerous,
have diseases now become, that if we were to
write down their names. in the smallest legible
hand, on the smallest bits of paper, there would
not be room enough on the human body to
paste the labels.
Through the temptation of bodily appe-
tite, man first fell; and all theological schools,
and Bible Societies and divine ministrations-
and ordinances will never reinstate him in his
pristine purity. until the laws of physical health
shall triumph, by bringing the bodily appetites
and passions within the domain of conscience
and religion. There is a high duty resting up
on teachers in this matter, for the school must
come in to the aid of the parent in bringing
about better condition of health in the young.
The superintendent has mentioned some of the
ways in which the teacher can do this. First
by keeping the school room well ventilated.
The flush that is often seen upon the check OF
the pupil in the school room, is not caused so
much by heat or warmth, as by impure air
of the school-room in the morning, at recess,
! at noon and at night and see that the room is
thoroughly aired, and good supply of fresh
air let into the ROOM This is needed more if
possible in cold than in warm weather. Much
care should be taken to keep the room in
proper state Of temperature, neither too hot or
too cold. The teacher should see that the
scholar does not sit with wet or cold feet or
when still, does not receive drafts of cold air.
In cold weather, the scholars should not be al
lowed to remain long in the cold, especially at
ter being in warm room. If children are con-
fined too long at time, in bad positions, in
warm rooms. poorly ventilated, they can never
have robust health, or enduring constitutions
for nature requires during the period of growth
that there should be considerable waste to the
system and she will never be banked of her
requirements without making the offenders pay
the penalty, and with high interest too. Hence
it is necessary that teachers should be very rig
id in their requirements Of the pupils in regard
to all these things. When we have done all
we can it will be found that we have avoided
or remedied but few of the evils of early staid
demeanor and sedentary habits. Hence it is
very rare to see even an educated person with
an erect frame. well developed chest, and
that clear glowing countenance which is not
only an essential ingredient of beauty, but a
sure indication of health.
Nor is this the worst feature of the case, for
the evils of which we are speaking, stop not
here. Body and mind react upon each other :;
the little games Of childhood are preparatory to
the greater games of manhood the ball, the
kite, and the hoop call for thought, invention
| and energy; and every game excites emulation
and perseverance; all simple and childish, in
deed, but no more so than were the early eff
forts of Cesar or Newton. Hence the ne
cessity of the teachers overlooking all the sports
of the pupils at school, and see that they are of
the most healthful nature. If we would make
our ten talents twenty, our five talents ten,
we must take care that this organism of the
body, our earthly stock in the trade. is ever
kept in the highest working condition, the most
healthful state and we must see. too, that ev-
erv single talent be not so buried in the napkin
of the flesh, that it shall fail of returning to
| God who lent it, the increase which is required
of all. n. A. w.
Bath, Nov. go 1855.