The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-09-24
Scientific Temperance instruction

Communicated:
Since this matter has been before the
public, have given the text book question
some attention and nave examined the works
"Our Bodies and How We Llve'' as also
the works that haye been issued specially
to meet the demands of the law of the last
Legislature.
/ find no fault with the book above men
toned as regards the scientific accuracy of
the teaching it gives on the subject of AL
coholic and their stimulants and narcotics
The chief trouble is that this works 100 con.
densed and covers to many points, yet in
the hands of thorough teacher it is capab-
lie of being made very interesting to any
school. That the book is published in Bost-
on does not at all detract from its merits,
and the fact that it can have a vile sale ov-
er the U. S. is enough to make it cheaper to
every purchaser than book published es-
pecially for one state that may not certainly
have sale outside, Or for which demand
has yet to be found. The Legislature no
doubt thought that, "they had oficiated at
the funeral of the whole subject" when they
added the last clause to the bill, and the
| liquor interests were no doubt on hand to
pay all expenses attending the burial.
But as it has turned out it was very
lively corpse that did not stay buried even
if our good Secretary did preach the funeral
sermon.
The controversy thus far, was not intend
ed to be one, over the merits or cost of books
II has thrown the blame for our inefficient
law where it properly belongs. and nothing
can now be done to correct the wording Of
the statute until new legislature is elected.
But something can be done to carry out the
object for which the law was designed, and
may yet be approved by our Commissioners
whom we have not charged with being un-
friendly to scientific temperance teaching
whatever may be inferred from the precepts
or practice of their secretary.
The point we wish to make is this. In
view of the great evils now resulting from
the use and abuse of alcoholic drinks and
narcotics, which affect all classes of society,
it is necessary that the teaching under this
special heading should be general, at least
so that all the children attending the school
should have some instruction at stated times
even when there are few pupils sufficiently
advanced to be able to take up this book and
comprehend the text of it. In this respect
"Dulaneys Physiology and Hygiene" is
preferable to the book now adopted by the
grade in our schools and requiring less pre-
vious knowledge ON the part of the teacher.
1t can at least be used to advantage to pre-
cede the other works. The law on this sub
ject in other states requires that all teachers
shall pass satisfactory examinati on on
these subjects so that no new certificates will
be issued, after specified date, to those not
qualified to give correct instruction from
those books. This is permission, (omitted
from our law , of more real Importance :han
the size or cost of the books used. One read.
questions and remarks from Il teacher will
convey more real knowledge to the whole
school than the attempt to msster the techni-
cal terms of Anatomy, Physiology and Hy-
giene.
We are aware of the diffiulties attendant
upon the study of this subject in connection
with the other branches now included in our
curriculum. and we probably have too many
books, or too great range of daily lessons
already, in many schools, but there is no
one capable Of doing more good, (as the Pres.
of the w. G. r. U. remarks). than this,
that our children may be instructed in the
nature of these prevalent poisons that they
will have intelligent reasons for avoiding
them. AS a measure of political economy
our public schools are already a success and
if they can save some of the children from
intemperance, when every influence and
home surrounding is pushing them that way
while they have an inherited latent appetite
from drunken ancestors to lead them, they
will do great work.
1t is to these children that the brewers
and distillers look for their future CUSTOM
ers, and hence the opposition to these laws.
And yet even they who reap the pecuniary