Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-01-05
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
copf1nete,, by J. H. Terri, Principal of Mineral
Point Public Shoots
Physiology in our Common Schools.

/ In order that we may properly
use and preserve any machine, we
must first study its construction and
It's manner of work. If we do not
do this before we use our sewing
machine. the WORK is poorly done
| and our machine sill soon need re-
pairing. The farmer examines every
part of his new reaper, and studies
the working of euery lever, wheel,
| and rod before heattempts to use It.
If it be important that we should
study so carefully a machine that
can be repaired BY the blacksmith
at a slight cost, how important must
be the study of the delicate and
complicated machine upon which
depends our happiness, our success,
and even our existence.
1t is true that We may learn many
lessons by experience, but the cost
is too great. 1t is rather late to
learn the importance OF breathing
pure air, after our systems have
been poisoned by the use of that
which is foul. When an improper
use of our eyes has permanently In
iured them, it is cold comfort to
know that our condition is the result
of our own ignorance. When an evil
habit has produced lasting injury
and blighted the brightest possibil-
tiles of our lives, the knowledge
that such a habit ought to have
been Stunned Will produce a life
long regret, butt cannot undo the
damage. The mother who is bend
ing over the suffering form of her
consumptive child, may shed scald-
ing tears as she learns that wasp
like form is not conducive to health;
but bitter tears can not atone for
her folly or restore her darlings
health. All around us we see men
and women who are paying the pen
atty of violated law. Each disorder
makes a draft upon our physical
strength that leaves us so much less
for other purposes. Every repaired
organ lacks something that it had
before it was injured. Every bad
habit brings its punishment.
Duty to others as well as duty to
self demands that every human
being should understand the prin-
cipal laws of physiology. The boys
and girls who are in our schools to-
day are to be the parents of future
generation. \ dainty little piece of
humanity SO frail that even the
pressure of finger might crush out
olt its young life, viii be placed in
the hands of those who are ignorant
of the simplest laws that control its
existence. 1t Is no wonder that so
many children die in infancy, but
it is strange that people are so blind
as to utter the blasphemy, ut is
the Lords doings, he has taken the
little lamb
1t is true that those who under
stand the laws of health do net
always obey them. Force of clr-
cumstances sometimes compels men
to run the risk of injurirg their
health, aud inclination more often
causes them to forget the pain OF
the future in the pleasure of the
present. Still we teach the Chris
tian religion, although all who pro-
TESS Christianity do not always TO-
low its holy teachings. We must
understand Gods laws before we can
obey them, and the better we under
stand them the more closely will we
follow them.
"But there is no time for this
branch of study in our schools" "
SAYS some one. Can we spend
time locating the Hoang Ho River,
Madagascar, and Passamquoddy
Bay, and other places of equal i'm
portance, and still have no time for
locating our own organs, learning
their uses and how to take care of
them? Can we afford to spend
weeks teaching useless dates and
tracing military campaigns, while
we do not devote one hour to the
care of our bodies, although upon
this knowledge depends our happi-
ness and our existence. Said an in
valid friend the other day, " might
have been strong man today, II
my teachers or parents had taught
me the simplest laws of physiology"
Some teacher responds, But !
have not studied physiology myself,
AID therefore cannot teach it to my
pupils" In these days of cheap
books there can be no excuse for a
teachers not studying this branch,
and it is not too late to begin now.
At any rate the care and training OF
child is trust too sacred to be
placed in the hands of quack.
}. w. LIVINGSTON.
The semi-annual session of the
lE;soons;,, TaoobarS' 4 cSociation held