The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-11-20
AHBlTEXTERI2.Y.


we'll enough alone" but am equally
sensible to the certain stagnation Of
affairs if it were always followed. /
am not fond of sensations, and never
present Il subject for the sake Of Great
ing one; but when investigation proves
the general helpfulness of any new
departure in ideas | hold it a wrong
not to urge its application. Nature
has been accused of SO many short
c0mings, for which custom alone is
responsible, that a second look is often
required to test the question Not
many years ago large number of the
human family were not considered by
many legitimate members of it, not fit
TO be free from bondage. To-day they
are being fitted for the highest pro.
fessions OF life. So it may be with
that member of the human body so
long held in comparative bondage, if
free to act. Let us at least give Nature
chance to vindicate herself from any
unjust accusation. My attention has
been attracted to this subject for some
time by noticing the increased ease.
rapidity, delicacy and force with which
children in the Kindergarten learn to
use the left hand, through the practice.
entirely incidental, taking no extra
time, of manipulating with the gifts
aud some of the occupations, with both
hands, simultaneously and alternately.
If practice makes perfect in the use of
one hand, it certainly will tend to make
perfect in the use of the other as far
as an entailed custom will permit, and
the great advantage of such use is ai-
mitted by all. When scientific ply
Biologists have more fully determined
than at present the delicate relations
existing between the hand and brain.
between thought and action, this SUBJ
ject will doubtless be more fully dis
cussed. If there be no anatomical diff
ference between the two sides. if the
nerve forces reaching out from the
brain which control action are alike.
may not the relative slowness of one
side be due to this very lack of prac-
tice? It may not be we'll to follow this
questioning farther. but general
ability to use the left hand requires far
less practice than one would suppose.
and in childhood is acquired with CON-
parative ease, and, when such exercise
is a play, with perfect unconsciousness.
| am tempted to one question more. III
one part of the source of physical Volt
ton sends its message with so much
more difficulty through the members of
the body. may not the quicker transit
resulting from practice bring with it
valuable added mental activity?
The left eye is certainly an accidental
captor of advantage. But as demand
always creates supply, and as skill,
even in these days, has not yet reached
its limit, some preparation at least to-
ward readiness for possible call for
action of this singularly neutral mem
Der will not be out of place. Physi-
clans will tell whether or not disease
is most often found to settle upon the
left lung, or in any of the left organs.
But as there is practical side to all
questions. it may not be uninteresting
to readers to note opinions gathered
from time to time from many sources
upon this subject, for it has seemed to
me that this would some time be a
question of vital Importance to parents
and teachers in the early education of
as by most thoughtful kinder
gartners it has been already so held.
De Quincy wrote: Ignorant was I
of the human frame, and of its latent
powers. IS regarded speed, force and
Regarding the greater ability to pre-
serve life | have the testimony of sail
ors that in many OF the perilous duties
incident to this calling better train
ing of the left hand and arm than is
usual might have prevented many
cases Of drowning and other accidents.
Carpenters, bod carriers and others
HAYS given similar testimony regard
ing accidents from falling. &c.
Regarding increased skill, carriage
makers, blacksmiths, house builders.
painters and paper hangers have assert
that such training would have been of
incalculable value in their several yo-
cations. Nurses, surgeons and MEM
bers of other professions bear the same
testimony. Nor does the advantage
stop here. Some psychologists, and /
10 not know but all, claim that to see
visible objects squarely with both eyes