Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-08-19
4ailg Tirginiau.
Physical Degenoracy.

II has been popular for n long time To represent
the inhabitants Of this country asundergoing ply
steal degeneration. Educational, medical and
other Journals print essays, showing how the de.
cay may be arrested. The introduction Of a,hlci-
ic games archery, and other exercises into school
discipline, are constantly recommended by PRO
grcssivc educators" physician Of Detroit has
published pamphlet; setting forth that our i'm
perfect system of education s ono Of the principal
Causes Of the PHI hysical dcgcneracy Of our people.
This Is probably not unjust; our teachers not only
instruct too much and educate too little, but con-
Hnc their sors 10 the intellect, To the neglect Of
tho body Such state Of things NJ fur rs II ex-
ists should receive attention.
But il may bc doubted whcthcr this great de-
gcncrncy really exists, We will not deny that
there is n margin for improvement; but is it not
quite probable that our people. even now, are ma
king upward progress Is tho average duration Of
life shortening? ltmay be that we have fewer old
men and old women, but a largcrproporton Of child
ren nttain maturity than formerly. Statistics indi-
cate that tho ratio ofmortnlty actually on the do
crease. 1t must DO admitted then that our pco-
pie possess n larger aggregate Of vitality, though
perhaps exhibiting fewer remarkable instances
Of longevity" The French nation has lost two
inches and more in average stature within fifty
years, while the Americans are taller than their
European progcnitors. II il argued that we have
loss iat upon our muscles aud that wo exhibit
signs of nver-,aAed energies. The rapidity with
which we make our way in the world shows tho
possession Of high vital stamina; while large ac
eumuln,ions of fat Are only proof that there is
inactivity Of the vitnl functions. Lem men will
generally endure seyercr privation, and they nre
moro ready for ply steal and mental oxerton than
tho hcslhy. The dread which Caesar entertained
of fCassns is tho tribute paid to tho mon who real
lv perform most Of thu work of tho world.
Ii ia true that Americans "study much, and
that severe mental lulior toycs the energies. But
few persons die from this cause, for the most ln-
boriuus students tho world over have been the
longest livcrs. Only when bad habits hive cxis-
ted, or other duties to tho mind have boon neg
lected hns study resulted in deterioration Of tho
health. They arc mstnkon who imagine that
mental development involves physical degenerney
Without intellectual cultivation tho liability in far
greater. Thus in our prisons. tho labor; though
forced; is less severe than TINT of farmers and me-
chanics. merchants and editors and very often the
ces and schoolhouses Yet convicts ara of low
or type of health than people outside pursuing
similar employments.
In uniavorable localitics particularly in cities
densely populated, there exist many comnterbnlnn-
cling circumstances. There is not that equal dis
trbuion Of labor which 10 necessary to develop the
highest physical powor. Fashions of dress are
often pernicous; are residences, public buildings
and workshops when badly constructed or located
in unhealthy plncca. But these evils may hc OBJ
waited, and such examples arc not Illustrative Of
the general principle.
The immigrants added N our own population do
not appear To equal ourown people in vital power
Epidemics are moro fatal among them, moro
die in early life. and thoy less able 10 manual
labor. At the plough and hoe, the axe and car
penters' plane, in the haying and harvest field.
Americans will schieve more In given time than
they. The Arab and Tartar nre not our equals In
power of endurance. Even the Indian possesses a
smaller stock of vitality. and fails when required
to perform stated labor.
The energy of our people is due to the high
cultivation of their faculties. So inr from being
IN state OF decadence, they are yet in early IMAM
hood. with an eventtul future before them. LMxu-
rss that kings could not afford five centuries ago,
are enjoyed by common ~ab,rers. Tho
comforts of lite in profusion are in our grasp
We have much to learn yet, but our attanrnents
already achieved are neither small nor unimpor-
tant; and not among tho least Of these is the on
hance,nent of our stock Of vital power.--N J..
E,s Jus/