American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-03-30
Physical Education.

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Atthis period, when the proper men
tai training Of youth has Become a sub.
joct Of the first Importance, and tho great
object Of parental concern, it would be
well to inquire whether physical oduoa-
ton receives the proportion Of pubic at
tention which it deserves This inquiry
is easily answered. In looking around
at the youth of the present day, how alar-
mingly often do we observe cases where
the mind has been brought forward studi.
ously, and the intellect cultivated almost
to procoty, while the frame presents
weak and attenuated appearance, bospcak
ing plainly an over attention to the detri-
mont OF the body. TO makes cultivated
mind really useful in the world it is
sad mistake to snap the energies Of the
body at tho outstart Of life The sound
condition Of the body while all must feel
it to be one of tie greatest Of blessings
is an essential concmitant of a sound con
dition of the mind itself Physical cduca-
ton comes into operation before any otlsr
department for oneofits chief concerns is
that the human boingshalI commence life
with proper organization, inorder thatits
constitution and energies may be able to
bring into proper use the hcpowcrswhich the
mind may acquire through judicious
training and expansion. The physical
education commences with infancy, and is
not finished until the pupil graduates into
manhood with that best of all diplomas,
healthy and robust constitution.
1t is estimated that a human being,
born with a sound constitution, will live
seventy years and upwards, under favora-
bic circumstances. Owing generally to
ignorance and incautiousness, the physi,
cal frame which nature has given us so
often impaired and brought in contact
with disease, that only a comparatively
small number attain the venerable age
of "three-score years and ten" We do
not say that in all cases this abridgment
is owing to want of physiological infor-
nation, for there are many other causes
which lesscn the aggregate number ofyears
to which human life is shown to attain.
The constitutio nof some persons are weak
from infancy, and less able to resist the
invasions Of disease than those of others !;
and this fact, together with accidental
causes, to which VIC are all constantly La
bic, tends greatly to reduce the ratio of
existence. Yet the sad effects of ignor-
anco of physical principles must be CON
spicuous when we state, in relation to the
mortality Of the young, that more than
one third die under the age Of five years,
doubtless from causes produced by ero-
noous methods pursued in the nursery -
In many cases these are the result Of
ovorfondness on tho part Of mothers, who
are too apt to feed their children on dain-
ties, which, though they may please the
taste have no medicinal or nutritious
properties to roctmmcnd them
The food dress, aud exercises Of chill
drens hould certainly be adapted--what-
ever is best calculated to preserve the
health and invigorate the muscles prefer
able A tender plant, unless it receives
its proper nourishment from the ground
in connection with sunshine and air, can
not spring up in healthy condition. In
she same manner, a neglect of proper air,
exercise, etc, will be hindrance to the
proper development of the organs of a
child Sleeping in close, badly ventila-
ted apartments, is a common and injuri-
Gus practice, and should be guarded against
particularly A profnseness of dress, and
i'll adoption Of it to the season is a sad
mistake which needs correction.
BUT not alone is care required in the
| physlloglcal educatlOh Oh ohli"i'Vo'' Inc
training of the functions of the body
should be continued in connection with
those of the mind, through youth, into
manhood, until the utmost degree Of per-
fection is attained Of which it is capable
The skin, lungs, digestive organs, and
muscular frame, each require attention,
as well as the brain The greatest pro-
moter of the healthy action Of these, her.
haps, is cxereise--such aswalking, riding
leaping, dancing, &c. The importance OF
these to health, in the full ldcyelopment of
the muscles of youth, and the strengthen
ing the body, have long been known and