The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-11-30
HEALTH IMPAIRED BY OYER
STUDY IN SCHOOL-THE
REMEDY.

brain in schools is eliciting much dis
cussion among educators and those
who take an interest in the health of
children. 1t is alleged that the physi-
cal condition of school boys and girls
is impaired by too many hours close ap-
plication daily in study, and that dis
eases are contracted which prove last
ing, if not fatal. Statistical facts have
been adduced to show the correctness
of these statements, and it may be re-
ceived as true that scholars. in many
instances, are injured by oyer-taxation
of studies. But it is strange that those
loudest in complaining of the evil fail
to suggest the true remedy; they in
sist onsless hours of study and more
play, as preventives of the i'll effects
of too intense application. There is a
better remedy, and quite as pleasing to
school boys and girls as more play.
The introduction Of industrial trades
in schools offers the best plan for pre-
serving the health and vigor of the
young; it does away with headaches
and other complainings so common in
the school room; it affords the neces-
sary exercise for the enjoyment of
health and the better development of
the human frame.
Wherever mechanical trades have
been made a part of school education
it has improved the general health of
scholars, given them better appetites
and made them stronger. The half
way educational reformers recon-
rlended gymnasiums as the best exer-
else for school boys and girls. Gym
nasiums afford healthful amusements,
but they impart no practical education !;
they combine no economies with school
book learning. The idea of a gymna-
SUM sounds more genteel and pleasing
than work shop tools, because it is not
associated with that too often dispised
idea of labor. False notions of life keep
the suggestion of labor in the back
ground as something only fitting for
the lower classes. That labor is honor
able every one admits in theory for the
sake of decency, but practically labor
is too much looked upon as belonging
to interiors. 1t has been we'll estab-
lished that trades, wherever made a
part of school education, are not look
ed upon by the young of either rich or
poor parents as something repugnant,
nor yet as drudgery, but as attractive
and pleasing. Scholars enjoy using
the tools in the work shop better than
the sports on the play grounds. When
the vast Importance of educating the
rising generation, rich and poor, in
some useful industry is considered in
all its bearings on the future, it must
strike every thinking mind as a wise
economy. What are the millions COM
ing on the stage Of action to do if they
have only a school-book education ?
Are the millions without trained
occupation to live by their wits alone?
The class of tradeless young men aad
women is increasing rapidly every
year; ito dig they cannot, to beg they
are ashamed" The demand of the
times is for skilled labor. Stalwart
young men are seen standing on the
streets, waiting for a call of some
kind; they may have educated heads,
but not educated hands. If they had
learned trade III their school days, it
would have been passport to employ
ment for respectable wages, but having
no trade, their book learning is I'M
available to purchase food and cloth
ing.