Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-09-04

Harvard Medical School, Boston, began thu
practice of his profession in his native place
IN 1845, and two years later removed t,
Buffalo. where he practiced from 1S47 tt
1852. During his residence in Buffalo, HI
wrote a number of papers on the causes
and treatment of Cholera, which ravageC
that city during 1S49 and 1851. These pa
pers attracted much attention, and were
afterward published in book form.
In the Autumn of 1852, DR.. Lewis took
his young wife seriously threatened with
consumption, to the South. The visit tc
the Southern States was repeated during
the two following winters
| During these three winters of leisure,
DIR. Lewis seriously reconsidered his life
work, and after consulting with family and
other trusted friends, resolved to ''shift the
switch" Since 1856 he has been engaged
in lecturing and writing on the subject OF
public and personal hygiene. With the
exception of two visits to Europe and three
summers of saddle life in the mountains of
California, he has been increasingly occu-
pied with the "ounce of prevention"
! His labors have been varied. interesting,
and most effective. During four years he
lectured almost every night, giving his days
to the invention of his new system of gym
nastics. In 1860, having completed this
system, he abandoned the platform and
settled in Boston, Mass, to establish his
Normal School for Physical Training
Obtaining an Act of incorporation from the
Massachusetts Legislature, he placed his
scheme before the celebrated DR.. Walter
Charming, DR.. Thomas Hoskins and other
well-knOwn medical men. The gentlemen
named, and others, entered heartily into
the work. DR.. Charming and Dr. Hos
kins both became active teachers or profess
sors in Dr. Lewis's school Within seven
years, more than four hundred persons
were graduated from the Boston Normal
School, and, bearing its diploma, with the
name of Dio Lewis as its President, went
out into all the land teaching the new
school of physical training. Among these
graduates was that admirable gentleman
and scholar, Moses Colt Tyler, now Profess
sor in Cornell University. Hewent abroad,
remaining several years in London intro
ducing the 'Dio Lewis Gymnastics. Prof.
Tyler's lectures and his contributions to
the English magazines on the new school
of body culture, constitute the finest por-
ton of the literature Of the new movement.
In one Of Prof. Tyler's papers, in leading
English Magazine, occurs this paragraph
"The movement Of thought in America
toward physical culture is thus organized
upon a profound and abiding basis. An
impulse has been given which vibrates
through a population OF twenty millions;
this impulse cannot die. Z = And of this
vast and beneficial movement, DiO Lewis
stands clearly at the head. To him the
people are looking as to an apostle and
guide. He has inaugurated i'll America
great national reform, as distinct as infu-
ential, as glorious, as that which was
wrought in Germany by Salzman and jain,
or in Sweden by the poet and gymnasiarch
Ling"
Another interesting phrase of DR.. Lewis
work is found in the great seminary which
he established at Lexington Mass.
His object was to illustrate the possibili-
ties in the physical development of girls
during their school life. His buildings ac-
commOdating 200 persons were placed upon
the first battle field of the Revolutionary
war. A large corps of the best teachers in
mathematics, sciences, languages, belle let
tres, and music TO be found in the country
were engaged, and the opening announced.
The school soon grew to one hundred and
fifty young women, gathered from all parts
Of the country, including the Pacific Coast,
Central America, and the West Indies.
They came to see what could be done by
the new methods for their nervous enfee-
bled bodies. The marvellous triumphs of
this institution during the years which DR..
Lewis devoted to it's management. he gives
in the ''North American Review for Dec.
1882. AS he says in that paper, hundreds
of grateful parents are familiar with the
facts. Girls who came unable to ascend
single flight of stairs without suffering, in
a few months were able to walk five to ten
miles without inconvenience.
In the course of his twenty-five years
residence in Boston, Dr.. Lewis published
nine volumes on the various aspects of the
health of the human body, some of which,
like "Our Girls" "Our Digestion" and
weak Lungs" have had enormous sales.
DR.. Lewis has now removed to the city
Of New York, to establish large monthly
magazine, to be called s'Dio Lewis's Month
ly," and to be devoted to Sanitary and So
cial Science. This will be the crowning
work OF his long life of labor in the interest
of better bodies for American men and
women.