Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-01-29


invalldism which must surely result
from continuation of the present
system.
First-A distribution of the required
study over a longer period of time.
ms, 1t may be claimed, is now and
mas been the privilege of each and all
STUDENTS or their parents; but while
this may be nominally so, practically
1t is not so; for with class associations
and graded divisions the humiliation
OF being set back whole year and
into lower class because the work
required is little too much, makes
such course almost impossible to
the sort of children who are in most
danger of injury.
Second-Longer vacations for girls
at this critical age, i. e., between
twelve and sixteen. 1 have felt it
necessary in numerous instances to
order this relief, and despite the dis
appointment and chagrin it usually
occasions, l have seen as a result
almost invariable improvement in
health. Give these physiological
changes a chance to take place. as
nature intended and as future health
demands, and not exhaust the ner-
vous forces to such an extent that
DEVELOPMENT is impossible. Six
months of study in year during this
period is all they can safely endure.
[ have found that the last two months
of the school year break the health of
more girls than the other eight.
Third-Let me ask is it necessary,
is it reasonable to prescribe and en-
force the same course and exactly
the same branches of study upon
all. irrespective of mental differences
and individual tastes and peculiari-
ties? Cannot elective courses be made
practicable. at least after some def
mite noint is reached. at which the
capabilities and inclinations of the
individual are generally apparent? :?
DO not compel children to spend time
and strength upon that which it is
evident thew can never Use or en-
jov. 1t is being demonstrated more
and more forcihlv every year that
only those who apply themselves to
one line of work, and that the one for
which their individual tastes and
ability especially fit them, are notably
successful or accomplish much in anv
walk of life. The general direction
taken by each individual should, it
seems to me. be recognized and re-
spected in school training. and when
it is, there will he fewer disappointed
and more successful men and women.
Fourth-Tet intelligent. systematic,
physical training have place and an
allotted time in everv school from the
kindergarten to the university. Let
it be as much a requisite for the
teacher to know how to direct this ex-
ercise as to solve an algehraic prob
lem. or else employ a suecial instruc-
tor, who shall devote his whole time
to number of classes, and let this
training he adapted. as it is in orr
hest gvmnasiums, toindividual needs.
Develop the. weak parts and thus pro-
dure symmetry strength. endurance.
health, and with these the ability to
do more and better mental work at
tho Same time.
FINALLY. let us, as individuals. as
representatives of the profession
whose chief object of interest is the
pnhlir hnolth. and 40 a society whose
pnrpose is n nrahle its members. bv
concert of action. hotter and more
e1cressfnllv IN do thei~ dntv in main
tainino and restoring health-in all
these CAPACITIES lot rs mot only call at
tantion to this evil and URGE a reform
on the part If the eanrators. but
earnestlv and rersietertlv imrrees
unon the minds Of parnrts and chill
dren. tho imrortance. yes the nares-
sitv, of making health a matter of
primary consideration; of making
fashion in dress. in exercise, in ac-
complishments. in anything, Weld to
health when thew come in conflict.
And we must not he satisfied with
once sounding the alarm, assuming
that we have then done our duty, but
as in the case of confagration, re-
peat the cry again and again until
the whole populace is aroused and the
evil corrected.