The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-10-06
Physical Education.

1t cannot be denied that, in the onward
march Of human progress, our ideas and
practices concerning physical excellence
have fingered far behind the rest. When
we consider the rapid advancement that
has been made in agriculture, manufac,
lures, commerce, language and govern
ment; in the acquisition Of every kind Of
knowledge, and its appliance to our in.
creasing wants; in mental culture, and the
production Of beauty in art, it will be
evident that no such Improvement has
been made in our physical condition. II
is true that, in nobility and beauty of form
and feature, we have outstripped our re-
mote ancestors, but this is rather an Incl.
dental result Of other changes than the
effect Of voluntary effort; which in firm
ness of constitution, vigor of health,
strength of muscle, aud power of endur-
ance, it is at least question whether we
have not retrograded from their standard,
rather than raised higher one.
The comparative torpor in this direction
is the more surprising, in view of the rapid
advancement of medical science. The
human frame has been subjected to the
most searching scrutiny; all its organs with
their various functions and minute opera
tlons have been classified; the many ills
that flesh is heir to have been critically
examined, as to causes, symptoms and
treatment, and the knowledge thus OBJ
tanned has at least kept pace with that in
any other branch of science. How is it
then that the results that might reasonably
be expected to follow such knowledge are
so meagre--that if remedies are multiplied
so are diseases-that if the laws of health
are better understood they are no better
obeyed-that the main purpose for which
medical science exists should remain so
poorly fulfilled, while the science itself
flourishes.
Many causes may be suggested to ac-
count for this apparent Inconsistency, but
the one TO which most of it may be charp-
ed IS that the care of the body has not vet
come to be considered an essential part Of
all popular education. The general idea
seems to prevail that the most superficial
knowledge Of the bodily functions and of
the laws which regulate them is sufficient
for ordinary use. We somehow take il
for granted, in spite Of continual experi-
ence to the contrary, that we shall be
healthy and strong without any special
thought or care on our part, and thus we
60 on from day to day, in culpable iguor-
ance, violating the laws Of our being. until
at length nature avenges herself by iayiue
us on bed Of sickness. Then. indeed
We are alarmed, still bIindly, however, and
we hasten to throw the responsibility on
the physician, whom we regard with some
thing of a superstitious faith, believing him
able to work miracles and to avert the
natural penalty of our misdeeds. How
few young people are trained to take care
of their bodies, to understand the princi.
pies which will preserve sound constitu-
tlon, or build up feeble one. TO regulate
their hours of work, sleep and recreation.
to select as carefully the food with which
they construct their bodies, as the builder
selects the materials for his edifce, n
clothe themselves judiciously, TO guido
their appetites and passions with wisdom, g
IN short, to make the most Of their physi-
cal capacities. There is rarely, indeed
any one qualified to teach them. Their
parents probably do not know these thiugs.
their teachers have no such lessons laid o1,1
in the prescribed course, their physician
IN his uncertain visits, is wholly occupied
in striving to repair the mischief they
have caused, and, perhaps, despairs 81
enlightening them. Sometimes, indeed !
kind and disinterestod friend seeks 10 a.
them this good service, but habit is too
strong to yield to single effort. and but
little impression is usually made. Tbese
young people, in their turn, marry. ana
bring up children in the same hap-hazard
fashion, and the alarming proportion oI
infant mortality partly results from hi
ignorant and careless state Of THINGS.
The study Of physiology in the schools
has been suggested as 4 means Of avertipp
this ignorance, but il is usually presented
IN 50 dry and technical 4 form Tint 4.
practical lessons are lost. On he otbe,
hand the sanitary regulations enacted b,
the Government though wholesome aps
necessary, do but touch tho outside Of n,
matter-rshey cannot teach or ;nrn;Fs
There Is indeed needed reform Il th;
subject that We could desire to sea take,
up by some Of our wisest philapthron;sl