Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-08-12
Miscellany.
Waste of Health and Strength in
the Young.

Let me ask you, ladies, with all cour-
tesy, but with all earnestness-are you
aware that more human beings are
killed in England every year by un-
necessary and preventable diseases
than were killed at Waterloo or at
SadOwa! Are you aware that the
great majority of those victims are
chiidrenf Are you aware that the Ill
seases which carry them off are Tor the
most part such as ought to be specially
under control of the women who love
them, pet them, educate them, and
would in many cases, if need be, lay
down their lives for them9 Are you
aware, again, of the vast amount OF
disease which, so both wise mothers
and wise doctors assures me, Is engen-
dered in the sleeping room from simple
ignorance of the laws of ventilation,
and in the school room likewise, from
simple ignorance of the laws OF physl
ology? from an ignorance OF which
shall mention no other case save one
that too often from ignorance OF signs
of approaching disease, a child Is pun
ished for what is called idleness, list
lessness. willfulness. sulkiDess; and
punished, too, in the unwisest way-by
an increase of tasks and confinement
to the house, thus everlasting still
more brain already Overtasked, and
depressing still more, by robOlnG IL OF
oxygen and of exercise, system al,
ready depressedi Are you aware, l
ask again of all thisi | speak earnestly
upon this point, because L speak Win
experience. As single instance,
medical man, a friend of mine, passing
by his own school room, heard one OF
his own little girl screaming and cry
ing, and went in. The governess, an
excellent woman, but wholly Ignorant
of the laws of physiology, complained
that the child had of late become oDsu-
nate. and would not learn: and that
therefore she must punish her by keep
ing her indoors over the unlearned les
sons. The father, who knew that the
child was usually a very good one
looked at her carefully for a little
while; sent her out of the school room;
and then said, THAT child must not
open a book for month" If L had
not acted so,- he said TO me, Il should
have had that child dead OF pralii
disease within year"
Nov.in the face of such facts as these
Is il too much to ask of mothers, SIS
tiers, aunts, nurses, gOvernesses-ai
who NAV be occupied IN the care ol
children, especially of glris-that tIefi
should study Unlltt Oh nuindh Nc,
and human life, by studying somewhat
the laws of life and healthf There an,
books may say whole library ol
bOoks-written 10y scientific doctors OF
these matters, which are. in my, mind
far more important to the school room
than half the trashy accomplishments
so called, which are expected TO b'
known bv governesses. But are they
bought? Are they even to be bough
from booksellers9 Ali, for little know,
ledge of the laws TO the neglect ol
which is owing So much fearful disease
which, If it does not produce lmmedi
ate death, too often leaves the constl
tion impaired for years to come An
the waste of health and strength IN th'
Young. the waste, too, of anxiety an'
misery in those who love and tent
themI How much of it might be save'
by a little rational education IN thos'
laws of nature which are the Will
God about the welfare OF our bodies
and which, therefore, we are as nue.
bound to know and to obey the splrltua
laws whereon depend the welfare o
onr souls 9-[Health and Education.