The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-10-14
Should Physiology be Taught in our
Public Schools.
Lecture Delivered Before the jackson Coun-
ty Teachers Institute, by DR.. d. A. White.

Physiology is the science which treats
of the uses and relations of the different
organs of the body. In order to study
Physiology proftably it is necessary to
have knowledge of Anatomy, which is
the science which describes the different
organs of the body. And as Hygiene,
the science which develops the princi-
pies upon which the healthy action of
these different organs depend, is init
mately connected with the former, au-
thors preparing textbooks for common
use combine these three branches of sci
ence in one book, and give it the COM
mon title, Physiology
That Physiology as it is commonly des-
ignated, embracing Anatomy, Physiolo-
gy and Hygiene, should be taught in our
common schools, to my mind needs no
demonstration. But my affirming that
it should be taught in the common
schools perhaps would have but little
weight towards convincing any one pres
ent of the Importance, of the study, did l
not produce some reasons why it should
be taught.
7 A knowledge of Physiology is necessa-
ry to make up a man or woman's educa-
tion, and their education is not complete
without this knowledge. And as it is
mon schools, and as great many per
sons never have the opportunity of at
tending any other school, it should there
fore be taught in the common schools.
If properly taught it becomes one of
the most interesting, and by far the most
profitable studies in school, What profit
would we derive from all our knowledge
of Arithmetic, Grammar or Geography, if
by the time we had finished our course of
education our physical and mental pow
ers are .dwarfed and fast failing in conse-
quence of our ignorance and violation of
the laws of nature, which must be obeyed
if we expect to be useful through life,
and fulfill our mission here on earth
Our usefulness and happiness depend on
a healthy body and pure mind. 1t is i'm
possible for the weakly, debilitated child
to make the same progress in study the
healthy one does, other things being
equal We see every Eday persons de-
formed and suffering from disease con-
tracted while attending school, who
might have been healthy and useful had
their teachers taught them the necessity
of observing the laws of nature.
Teachers have frequently inflicted pun
ishments injurious to the young child,
but l am glad to say that as science ad-
this barbarous practice is abandoned.
Children are often required or permitted,
which is all the same as far as the child
is concerned, to sit on a seat that will
not permit their feet to reach the floor,
and the bones of their thighs being ten
der and flexible become more curved
than normal, and thus the child grows
up to manhood and is designated as the
bow-legged gentleman.
The spine is curved unnaturally and
the chest contracted by allowing the
child to sit or stand in an unnatural DO
sition.
These deformities. unpleasant as they
may be, are of minor Importance COM
pared with some other troubles that fire.
quently arise from improper methods of
exercise and study.
have heard an eminent physician of
Cincinnati, who has had large expert
ence in diseases of the chest, declare,
that in great many cases heart disease
and pneumonia troubles were brought on
by too violent exercise while attending
school. Exposure to cold and wet, inn
proper ventilation OF school-room, and a
great many other improper things
might mention, connected with the man
agement Of children, have tendency to
induce disease
| do not claim that the teacher can
control all these things and avoid all
the dangers in whicha child might be
placed even ii he were we'll posted in