Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-22
Physical Training for Girls.

from Our comment.
The word training is very expressive. 1t
means literally draw to-" but when applied to
human organization we should understand it as
physical training by exercise. that is. develop
ment of the body by exercising all it's parts
This process is quite different from what is gen.
orally understood by the term education. This
applies the mind, more particularly to the in
tellectual facilities. In the schools very little
attention, comparatively, is ever given to the
education Of the moral sentiments or the
domestic affections In the case of girls this
constitutes great failure
But if the mind is educated at the expense of
the body it constitutes a still greater failure
Within a few years public attention has been
called In special manner to tho education of
girls and the higher culture of women This is
all well, but the training ofsthe bOdy-a good
development Of the physical system-is also inn
portaDt. But how can this be secured? 1t is
needless to say that much here depends upon
the type or kind of organization which is inner
TIED. One OF the greatest blessings that per-
son can possess is healthy. well organized body
at birth. But the advantages Of this fail unless
1t IS properly taken care of. This training or
care should commence early While the dispo-
sitions or instincts of the boy and girl may diff
fer In some respects, the greatest liberty as far
as exercise. games. sports. etc. are concerned.
whether indoors or out, should be given alike
to both.
After ten or twelve yearss of age the BODY
takes more rapid growth and passes through
very significant changes In the case of the
girl this Is the most critical period in her lite as
far as health is concerned. In the growth and
changes of the physical system the greatest
pains should be taken to see4hat there is a nat
ural heaty developments of every part. Unless
this is properly attended to the seeds Of weak
ness or disease are engrafted into the system
which affect the highest interests Of woman
through life.
Physical training Just at this period is one of
vital Importance. The exercise that is best
adapted to develop all parts of the body In a
natural, healthy manner is domestic labor. It Is
always at hand; tt can be taken regularly every
day. and there Is such variety that almost every
muscle can be exercised. HousewOrk should
never be considered mental or degrading: it Is
natures laboratory In which the girl may obtain
not only the best physical development but
most valuable knowledge that will fit her for
Impractical duties of life. This training may
be supplemented by other kinds of exercise.
such as walking and outdoor sports. The very
general introduction OffOreign help into domestic
service has proved most unfortunate for the
health Of American women.
Closely connected with this neglect of physical
training at home is an evil of great magnitude
that is, supreme devotion to brain work
The practice pursued very generally at the
present day of combining the girl in school or
seminary for series Of years consecutiyely is
attended with most serious evils. In the Ian
guage of popular writer, sit is educating our
girls to DEATH" While we would not discard
education in all its various departments, ex-
tending to the highest culture, we maintain
that it Is no advantage or blessing if it is to be
obtained at the expense of the physical system.
There are other parts of the body besides the
brain that need faithful training Thehighest
accomplishments and mental acquisitions will
not compensate for impaired constitution and
poor health.