New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-01
LEARNING TO BE HEALTHY.
VIGOROUS MEN RATHER THAN ATHLETES.
A MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE AD-

A MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE AID
vANCEMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
The American Association for tho Advancement Of
Physical Education held its fourth annual meeting
yesterday at the Berkeley Lyceum, No. 10 West Forty
four-st This association includes many OF the fore
most directors OF gymnasiums, prominent writer's
and authorities on physical education and others In
terested In the subject 1t has considerably over
two hundred members and many new ones were
elected yesterday Tho gathering yesterday, as tho
president, William Blake, author Of How to Get
Strong said, was a representative one. About sixty
well-known people present, including many
women who are working to promote physical educa-
ton among their Sex.
Mr. Blak,e in outlining the objects Of the assoca-
ton. said they were to teach people how TO become
healthy strong and vigorous rather than athletes OF
Giants He noted the deterioration in physical
strength Of Americans and explained 1t By saying that
men nowadays employ only the muscles which tnes
need in tholr occupation. Artificial means must DC
employed to develop and strengthen MANKIND anu
this association athletic clubs, gymnasiuns armories'
etc. constitute the machinery to do this training IN the
almost new field of physical culture.
OFFERING MILLION FOR HEALTH.
Mr. Blake said that one resut OF lack OF exer-
else was nervous exhaustion. :" am told' sald ne
that man in this city who IS worth s2oo'oooooo'
and whose wife Is dying. recently offered Slooo'-
600 TO any doctor who could him OF the nervous
exhaustion from which he suffers. All there wouid
be no need Of doctor for this If no had taken 'un-
hurried muscular exercise That is the sure cure for
nervous exhaustion We get the body into
such condition as not to admit disease The robust
Irish laborer, working in the trench does not get
malaria We want to get at the indoor boys and
girls who in plastic state; we want to aim at
their weak physical points, and teach them how to
get health and keep IT,"
DIT J. Gardner Smith, Of this city, read a carefully
prepared paper on the Use Of the Sphygmograph in
the Physical Examination Of Gymnastc Workers ana
Others This is an instrument for indicating the
character Of the pulse to the force and extent OF
It's fluctuations Tho Doctor is strong believer In
its use and unprejudiced listeners gathered the I'M
preston that DR.. Smiths paper was leyeued at III
competent instructors In gymnasums who don't study
their students, let them work as they want to, and
arc thus responsible the heart troubles with which
some become afflicted. Training should be gradually
increased directors should study their charges, and
should receive enough pay to enable them to give
their whole time to their work. The gynnasiums OF
the universities being placed in the hands OF the
medical profession which will build up strong and
vigorous men instead Of athletes.
GOOD WORK UPON CRIMINALS.
Dr. H. d. wey, Of the Elnira Reformatory, read
an interesting paper, giving his experience in training
| physically class OF criminal billiards He put a
dozen young men, of limited intelligence and per
vorted morals through course Of physical exercises
gave them Turhsh-bath treatment and special
diet This treatment caused stimulation on ther
physical powers which led to increased cereoraton
The result demonstrated the fact that the law o.
mutual dependence Of body and mind should not be
overlooked, and the Doctor advocated that the most
improved methods should be employed in the treat
| ment OF criminals Three OF this class improved
sufficiently morally and Intellectually to be released
from the reformaOry when otherwise they might have
| remained there long time. A fourth was paroled
and there was an encouraging ADVANCE III INC 0dseS Vi
| the other members OF the class.
Dr. Edward Hitchcock, Of Amherst College Dr.
John s. White, Of the Berkeley School, and DR. mary
| TAYLOR Blsseu, Of this city. also read papers MT.
Blake was reelected president DIR. D. A. sargent
! OF Harvard Dr. II. NJ starklof, OF the North Anler-
can Turnarbund and Miss c. C. Ladd vtce-Drestdents
| G.. W SeaTer secretary; DR. ". g. Anderson, treas
| urer: DR. f. p. Thwing, Luther Gulick and Dr. I'd
| ward Hitchcock the council.