Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-09-14
Health of Female College Gradu'
9f0R

The Association of Collegiate Alumnac, was
organized in 1882 by women graduates from
the leading colleges and universities OF the
United States. Ii now numbers $50 MEM
ters, who are widely scattered throughout
the country. The first general WORK wmcn
wa attempted was to investigate the health
Of women graduates. a subject which 10 OF
the gravest importance. because OF Its rela-
ton to the higher education OF women, and
one which hitherto has been left to theory
and surmise. A committee of which Miss
Annie G.. Howes of Boston was chairman.
prepared and sent to 1900 alumnac schedule
of evar 40 questions. relating to CONDITIONS
of childhood. individual health, family health,
college conditions and conditions since gradu-
alton. Seven hundred and FIVE of these cir
culars were returned, and a pamphlet has
been issued by the association, giving the re-
suits of the investigation as collected by the
bureau Of statistics of labor.
Referring briefly to the elaborate tables
which have been prepared it appears That
the graduates are largely of American parent
age. The average age at which thew began
study was 5.64 years at entering college lo-
81 years, and the average present age is 2o
So years. During college life the majority
studied but moderately, and only A per cent
did not worry over their stndes or affairs.
Since graduation all seem to have found con-
genial occupation, great many as teachers,
while eight only are occupied with social
duties to the exclusion of other occupations.
Somewhat over one fourth have married. and
Of the whole number of children borne by
them the greater part are living and in good
health On entering college "a. l6 per cent
were in good. SO per cent in lair and 10 GO
in poor health. Since graduation the percen-
tages are II 80, 5 ii and 1902 respectively
In other wor Is. 1873 report determination in
health, 4lS have had no change, and 4l9
show an improvement in health. The
most prevalent cause of disorders is con-
stitutional weakness. The present health
of graduates seems to have been affected &C.
cording as their parents have enjoyed either
good or poor health, the figures showing
three per cent increase in health for those
whose parents were both in good health, and
a decline in health of over II per cent for
those whose parents were both in poor health.
For those who entered college at Is years of
age or under, an increased deterioration in
health of 10 and II per cent as compared
with those who entered at later aye is OBJ
served. Those who worried over studies
alone show no perceptible change in health
those who worried over personal affairs, a
define in health Of over 10 per cent; those
" nO WOTTlcu OfcT uOt1 stuultS anu dudlrS, u
decline in health of Is per cent, while those
who worried over neither studies nor affairs
show an increase in health of over 10 per
cent Although the average good health of
all the graduates who studied severely was
considerably less than the average good health
of all the graduates their health did not suf-
fer material deterioration during college life.
The value of these statistics cannot be
questioned on the ground that their loyalty to
their alma mater would prevent those whose
experience was unfavorable, from sending
in statement, as tabulation was begun when
400 answers had been received, and the per-
centage averaging good health bore about the
same proportion to the total number then re-
ceived, as it does now that $50 more returns
have been gained The bureau of statistics
of labor, in including the report says: The
facts which we have presented would seem to
warrant the assertion that the seeking of
college education on the part of woman does
not in itself necessarily entail loss of health
or serious impairment of the vital forces.
Indeed the tables show this so conclusively,
that there is little need, were it within our
province, for extended discussion on the sub
ject. The graduates, as a BODY, entered
college in good health. passed through the
course of study prescribed without material
reason of the effort required to gain higher
education do not seem t. have become I'M
fitted to meet the responsibilities or bear their
proportionate share of the burdens of life.
1t is true that there has been, and it was to
be expected there would be, a certain de-
terioration in health on the part of some of
the graduates On the other hand an almost
identical Improvement in health for like
number was reported, showing very plainly
that we must look elsewhere for the causes
of the greater part of this decline in health
during college life. If we attempt to trace
the cause we find that this deterioration Is
largely due, not to the requirements of col
lege life particularly, but to predisposing
causes natural to the graduates themselves,
born in them as it were, and for which col
lege life or study should not be made re-
sponsible.