The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-01
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.


u
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journaa:
l have watched with some interest the
action of the Legislature with reference to
bill which has been introduced amending
the school law so as to include among re-
quired studies hygiene, which shall give
special prominence to the effects of alcoholic
beverages stimulants, narcotics and opiates
upon the human system" Petitions for
such law were quietly circulated, it being
thought unwise to bring it forward very
prominently, because of the intense interest
ill the amendments and the fear of some of
the tenn perance workers that it would seem
to antagonize the prohibitory amendment.
With the little effort that was made, about
5000 signatures of representative citizens
were secured. Among these were petitions
from the faculty and students Of Indiana As
bury University, Earlham College, Moores
Hill College and the Central In diana Normal
at Ladoga. In addition to these I am credi-
bly, informed that scores of memorials
from women'S Christian temperance unions,
from parents who desire that their children
may receive in the schools that scientific in
struction which they are not able to give at
their homes, from ministers, from prominent
teachers and from manufacturers in behalf
OF their employees, have been sent to the
members of the Legislature. These certainly
show an almost universal desire for such q
law, and a belief that the law as it is is not
sufficient in its requirements. In response
to a request from the chief of the National
Bureau OF Statistics, last summer, with refer
ence to the number of schools in which such
instruction is given, an investigation was
made by one interested in the matter. 1t
was found that in over 100 towns in Indiana
only seven had any definite instruction given
in the public schools regarding the physio-
logical effects of alcohol, and these seven
were schools where such teaching had been
introduced through the efforts of the W. g.
T. Union in the places. How low the aver
age number of such schools is may be mag
ined from this per cent
/ have noticed in one of the newspapers of
the State a suggestion that it is a scheme to
introduce temporary textbooks, and cause
the dear people additional expense How
thoughtful we are of the peoples money
when certain questions are involved II |
understand the provisions of the bill, it makes
no such demand, does not specify whether
the instruction shall be given by means of a
textbook, through lectures, or in connec-
ton with physiology and other sciences; nor
do suppose the advocates of the bill care,
so that it is given. That, it seems to me, is a
matter to be decided by the local school
boards ana teachers.
There would doubtless be a revision of the
physologies in use so as to incorporate the
fuller information demanded. After ten
years experience as a teacher in grammar
and high schools, and the use of several
textbooks on physiology in that time, am
convinced they do not meet the require
ment. The real object of the bill. under
stand, is to reach teachers who
are indifferent, and such school
boards and teachers as are influenced by that
element in the community which would
withhold its suffrage, if they take upon