The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-10

WORK entitled Physaot0gy and CdtiseTathtcS for
Schools and Families, noticed in previous ar
ticles:
"Were these exercises made an inaispensa-
ole part of school as well as family education,
many diseases consequent on constitutional de-
bility, or neglect or abuse, would be prevented.
And thus, through oar free schools, the number
OF me tn1irm and ailing poor scould be dinsia-
ished"
These exercises not only give fullness and
strength to the muscles, but they increase force,
hexibility, and dexterity of movement, and thus
contribute to grace of person, and skill in the
use OF the hands and other limbs.
They also, by opening the chest, and in
creasing the size and action of the lungs, give
tone and vigor to the whole organism. De-
bihty, scrofula ricketts,, and various deformities,
can thus be remedied.
Obesity, or an excess CT fat, is almost GER
tainly removed by such exercises. So weak
digestion, diseases of the liver, tendencies to
dropsy, are all remedied by the increased ac-
tivlty OF the muscles, and the consequent in
creased power of digestion.
"Such exercises, by increasing the circula-
ton OF the blood in the skin, render its compli-
Gated system more active in carrying off the
seeds of disease, while its nerves become less
impressible to heat and cold, and other changes
III INC atmosphere. mus beauty OF complex
ion is best secured and preserved.
As above remarked, such exercises have a
most direct influence on the organs of digestion
The equilibrium between food and waste is re-
established, sleep becomes regular, the senses
are sharpened, and all the faculties invigorated.
In the commencement of consumption, in
piles, and in other abdominal diseases, the gym
nastic exercises are important means of cure.
SO in nervous debility, Mysteries, and the evils
OF too early puberty"
"Galen, the father of medicine among the
Greeks, says: If diseases take hold of partic-
ular parts of the body, there is nothing more
sure to drive them out than diligent exercise
,Herodicus, celebrated ancient teacher cured
himself and many others of disease by gymnas-
tics.
"Several other ancient wise men, with Lord
Bacon among moderns, are quoted as declar-
ing gymnastics to be almost universal medi-
cine; because there is no disease whose further
development could not be prevented, or which,
at Its commencement, could not have been
cured by bodily exercise
'"But the effect of gymnastics on the body
is not their chief benefit. Says Montaigne: 1t
is the soul, and not the body alone, which we
educate, and we must not train the one with
out the other
iooOs tudb Wlocot VI Jl1C dnSiCut OISchSt
says: Excess of bodily exercise may render
us wild and unmanageable, but excess of arts,
science, and music, makes US faddled and eff
Terminate. Only the right combination makes
The soul wise and manly The great Hufeland
advises that children, till the seventh year,
spend most of their time in bodily exercises in
the open air.
I" He says, also, { If young children are COM
.pelled to sit quietly in a room, and their young
minds urged to action, we take from them the
aobtest part Of their strength, and consume IL
Ia the function Of thinking. Thus growth is
retarded, the limbs imperfectly developed, the
muscles weakened, the digestion becomes bad,
'scrofula perhaps appears, and then ensues a
great predominance of the nervous system.
Amy unequal development of our faculties is
injurious, and it is certain that mental exer-
tons weaken the more they are unaccompa-
aied by bodily movements. 1t is also certain
that those who, betUeen their mental 0ccupd-
lions, go through suitable bodily exercises, can
iOork mentally much more than one soho neglectS
4his exercise Of This bodily popers.'
: "These exercises act ON the courage, and
produce independence and presence of mind.
No man can possess much courage, whose chest
g narrow and whose lungs are not fully devel-
oped.
; These exercises produce cheerfulness, and
regulate fancy and imagination. They also
diminish predisposition to moral faults, that
-Andermine health and bodily purity.
But beside the physical benefits, it is proved
sshat such exercises strengthen the intellectual
faculties. A distinguished writer says: If you
wish to develop the mind of pupil, exercise
his body; make him healthy and strong, that
you may make him prudent and reasonable
Exercise assists the intellect by suitable
interruption to mental labor. Uninterrupted
snental exertion makes the mind heavy and dull,
and gives it false direction.
the IMMIGRATION of the body by exercise
Iiiminishes the craving of the taste for sensual
pleasures. Rosseau says, All sensual passions
are found in effeminate bodies, while the more
hey are reused, the less they are satisfied. A
weak body weakens also the mind
"a generous regard for the common good,
Ind willingness to make sacrifices for it, are
most readily developed in a strong and healthy
lody. 1t is the feeble and sickly who are
lwelling with morbid soicitude on themselves
md their ailments.
!, "'The feelings of friendship and all the
GENEROUS sympathies are promoted by gymnas-
,acs prscticed in concert with others, as also is
y love of order and precision, and habit of
,bedience'
Essays Hufeland: Give child sufficient
muscular motion, so that the store of nervous
trength may be turned to the muscles Of Volt
! ion. Let child exercise daily and often in
>ure air, till fatigue follOacs, and | am sure he
, will not think of vicious practices. These are
; he attendants of sedentary education in board
ng schools and other monastic establishments,
where exercise is measured only by halfhours.' /"
But it must not be supposed ti.at all these
benefits can be secured, unless the other laws
IF health are obeyed These are, simple diet,
proper clothing and additions, with all needful
rest to the brain by sleep; and recreation must
be added.
}, Fhe third ground of encouragement is, that
'the American people are so practical, quick,
;snd energetic, in accomplishing whatever they
Undertake.
If the editors of our newspapers will grant
heir aid in making all The people understand
he evils pointed out, and the remedies, and
hen if our clergy will bring to our aid the mo-
ICES q religion, the great work will be done
f. lur delicate, thin, sallow men and women will
become models of health and vigor, and our
{ hildren will grow up in strength and beauty,
IS "polshed corner stones after the similitude
If palace"
One other powerful agency remains to be
invoked, and that is the ail-pervading influence
tf Americdn ,cogsea And here the question
~ severally put to every woman who reads this.
Will you use your Influence to obtain the inser-
ION of these four articles in all the newspapers
# your vicinity?
/, Will you see that the books are obtained, and
1 f oar agents, that the profits may all 60 to the
GOD cause, and endeavor to have them in
.oduced into all the schools around you?
Will you use your influence to secure the CO.
perstion of your clergyman, IN case he Is alb
Hbrbed in other matters?
And if Providence has given you pealth, as
/, talent for which to account at the last day,
' ill you obtain knowledge of the plans of the
'merican Womdn's Educational Asscci0sse,i,
4 I'D &c dl, ofco fhodG ox