The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-08-16
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, NO. n.

OF late wears the studies of .fnafomy and
Physiology are gradually being Introduced into
our schools, and IN some places have been quite
extensively studied. Pupils often become very
expert in answering all questions that may he
propounded, They know the name and partic-
ular situation OF each bone, nerve and muscle.
They can rehearse The subject matter of the
book from beginning to end, and further, are
aoe 10 tell what laws condition health, and yet
the majority of them, from a want OF physical
culture, are peculiarly delicate and efftmina,e
in their character.
knowledge when misapplied or not applied
at all Is of no consequence. II we were 10
Judge of the wisdom OF the present age from The
fruits PLACED before US, what sad and melan-
choly judgment would be formed of thosr,
whose duty it has been to ac as instructors and
trainers OF humanity What mvriads of pale,
consumpilve, and delormed beings would lse
as testimony for their conviction Could the
voices of the dead be heard, how many would
cry out from heir narrow beds but TO condemn.
Indepe1dent<of the mere knowledge man may
have gained,-.it is necessary that he make a
proper application of it. The science of me-
chanicS in itself Is of but little moment The
great benefit we derive trlm it is found in its
proper application. The steam engine, all the
different kinds of levers, and all the other me-
chanica products, are of great benefit TO man
kind but, did we possess mere knowledge OF
the principles of mechanics, without making a
proper philosophical application of those prin-
cIples, we would not be enriched by the many
implements We now possess. The same Is true
of anatomy, physiology, and all the other SCI
ences Without practical application Of
,, IOrpoart - nj
and neither be of any benefit to the possessor.
nor to the world at large.
1t is argued by some, that the seeds of disease
are inherited. This may be true, but ii is not
true in the majority of cases. 1t is also said
that the carelessness of mothers and nurses has
much to do with IngraftIng disease into the
child. This, too, may be true. but il only ar
gues the necessity of giving all proper physi-
cal education, and OF having all thoroughly
train their physical powers. In Other words,
our mothers and nurses should have been ply
sicaly educated and trained when they were
school girls
Very few, indeed, OF either public schools OF
higher institutions, have adopted any syStemat-
ic plan for the exercise ofther bodily functions
Sometimes an invalid listens TO an address, and
hears the physical education aud physical cul-
ture of man advocated. Feeling the necessity
OF such training, he rushes off and takes exer-
else so violent as only to be proper for the most
muscular man as consequence, he receives
more harm than benefit A small dose oi iaui-
anum or opium may be a real benefit TO the sys.
TEN, but too great an amount will wholly dead
en- the vitality OF the physical functions. Ii is
only physical culture carried to ITS proper de-
gree, that is to be prac.sed. When such shall
be the case, humanity may with propHety ex-
pect TO be rslieved Of lis many physical ills
PHYSICAL.