Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-02-13

bccn made in the exact study Of this
most important subject. And the labor
promises to result in an abundant har-
vest. 1t is found that education, as
now acquired, is often purchased only
at the price Of suffering aud sickness.
Fl eadachc, near-sightedncss, consumr.
ton, contagious disease, dyspepsia, and
spinal curvature, are soao Of the NAL
aides which are found to exist in
schools, aud to b. in a great measure
dependent upon the present method of
" going TO school," Now our common
sense indicates that those evils cannot
be necessary conconitants to the &C.
quiremeut Of knowledge, and We there.
fore inquire what causes exist at pres
cnt, to which these diseases may be A.
tribunal.
Some Of these causes almost force
themselves upon our notice. The over.
crowded, overheated and illy-ventilated
school.room which some of US have
studied in or visited, the protracted
school hours, the constant bending for
ward Of the head und forcing Of the
i immature brain, these are some Of the
evils which comc at once to mind.
Then, to quote from the report, "de-
feetive light, a bad arrangement Of the
windows, careless methods Of sitting,
tho use Of too small type, and too
fine handwriting, hove more or less
agency in the production Of near sight
edncss. It is also thought that de-
fective form of school bench has been
sometimes instrumental in causing Ger
ebral consumption, defective respira-
ton, and spinal detormi,y." AS an
additional agent in the production Of
defective vision, pale writing ink. the
use Of which produces severe strain
upon the sight, should be mentioned.
The effect Of this can easily be appreci.
atcd. II any one wishes to test it let
him try the experiment in gu apart
ment where the light is Of ordinary
strength, and he will probably observe
similar strain upon the eyes to what
would be noticed il writing by twi-
light. IF this experiment is tot salts
factory, let him write first with a pale,
ana then with a full colored ink, and
notice how contentedly his eyes viii!
rest upon the more distinct words, and
with what greater case will follow the
movements Of the pen as it forms
them. This is an illustration of but
one Of the many details which should
receive the notice Of those who have
the education of the young under
their care. life is said to be
made up Of triAcs; at all events,
no one should under. estimate their in
tluence in forming the great totals Of
health and sickness, happiness and
misery, life and death.
Let US consider for a moment one
other point which should receive the
careful attention Of all interested in ed
ucation, especially those who instruct
the you'll. OF this dyspeptic nation.
How important it is that general
knowledge Of tho nature Of different
kinds Of food, with tho time and man.
ner in which it be taken, should be
widely diffuscd in such form as to bs
readily understood. Enforcement Of a
proper diet-and by the term diet is
not meant Insufficient but suitable
food-dcpends toa great degree, cx.
cept in boarding schools, upon parental
influence ; yet teachers can do much in
intoxicating correct ideas. We have
known Of boys who, in recess, ate their
lunches upon the run, in total ignorance
Or carclcssness as to the injury which,
such a proceeding wonld have upon
the digestive organs. What does q
boy care for that pneumogastric nerve,
custodian Of tho stomach, which will
rise grimly against him in after years
aud ,nulct him heavily in costs!
The present article, however, is moi
intended to DO more than supplement-.
~ to the report TO which it refers. The
subject il QUO which must be met aud