The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-04-13
Fol The Bulletin
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUCTION.
BY MRS. L. 7. KEEVER.

Many persons are wondering what the
women of the W. G. T. U. really mean, by
the term scientific instruction" which they
notice more frequently than formerly in ar.
ticles on the subject of temperance also,
what they are aiming TO accomplish by it
in the public schools, if their plans are car.
ried to a successful issue.
Many teachers claim to be already teach
ing temperance principles; and so they are,
in very mild way, by causually remarking
now and then to their pupils, that whisky
drinking is morally wrong, and that it de-
grades, debases and impovershes those who
indulge in the habit.
To teach temperance truths scenttica
includes more than this. 1t is TO give reg
ular lessons on the nature of alcohol, its
effect on the different organs of the hu-
man body, and the changes that slowly but
surely take place as the blood becomes
poisoned and carries that poison to every
part Of the system.
The state provides for the education of
its children, and in return demands that
they be sent out armed and equipped to
defend the laws Of a free people-in short,
that they be good citizens.
The greatest obstacle they meet in their
faith, is lntemperance. They ERE constantly
tempted to indulge in the so.caled social
(0 glass; and one of the most important
questions of to-day is: How can they best
be fortified and taught to resist the temp
tation that leads to the moral, mental and
physical ruin which lies in the cup of in
toxicationl The snsW er is BY scientific
instruction" and the best place where such
instruction can be given, is in the public
schools.
There are few teachers who would con-
slider themselves prepared to give regular
and systematic lessons on this subject with
out special preparation. The work to be
thorough and permanent, must be done as
we'll as that in arithmetic and grammar
step by step from the simple statement
which child can understand, to the more
difficult ones as the pupils develope capac-
ity for higher grades of mental work.
AS long as the matter of having such in
struction in the schools is optional with
school boards so long will it be, if at all,
in half-hearted way by large number
Of teachers, under the impression that
change in the administration of school
affairs will perhaps be the signal for q
pause in the teaching already begun.
To secure permanency in this WORK, to
inspire teachers with lsudable ambition
to excel In this line, the state must make it
obligatory in all schools under its control; a
matter easily accomplished by passing a
law requiring the effects Of alcohol and
tobacco upon the human system to be reg
ularly and scientifically taught,
The Legislature of Vermont, with keen
insight into the needs of the future, has
passed such bill, the principal clause of
which reads:
"Be 1t enacted that section 10 of the
school laws Of Vermont are amended, add
ing to the list of required studies IN the
schools, elementary physiology and hygi-
enc which shall give prominence to the
effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and
narcotics upon the human system"
New Hampshire and Michigan quickly
followed her worthy example.
Do not ask what is to prevent Illinois
from having a similar law in operationl
Ask those Legislators who did not dare to
vote against, yet did not wish it to pass,
how the bill was manipulated when pre-
sented last winter.
A still more determined effect is to be
made, and for the sake Of our future cti-
zens, let US plead for it for the sake of
hundreds of mothers who would thus be
spared the agony of beholding promising
sons 60 Keeling into drunkard's graves, let
US work for it.
If every person as soon a, convinced of
the need and expedency of such law, set
to work to convince one other, how rapidly
a little leaven would leaven the whole
lump, and public sentiment would soon de-
mand such law as right, while legisa-
tors, whether personally favorable to it or
not, would not dare vote in opposition to
the known wishes of their constituents.
GIIIrDGII