Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-03-16
EXERCISE FOR GIRLS.
THE APPLICATION OF cAtlsTHENlcs
COMMENTED UPON.

l..
Physiclans and Members Of tho Board Of
Edueatioa Of Phiiadsiphis Express nj
versity Of Opinion-Aii Asrss. However,
That Some Exercise IL Necessary.
A number Of prominent men, who are
In . position to know, expressed their
ideas In regard to tho effect produced by
the use Of calisthenics. Tho subject,
which was discussed by tho Homeopathic
Medical society, Is thoroughly familiar
to them, and their opinions varied to
considerable degree. The men who gave
their ideas 80 freely included several
members Of tho board Of education and
Drs. Korndoerfer, Mohr, Van Baum and
Belts.
Superintendent MacAlistcr said: "Ju-
dicious exercise Is essential to everybody.
Tho lady who teaches calisthenics in tho
Girls Normal school understands her
business. There may be some pupils to
whom the use Of these exercises Is in
furious, and in that case tho fault lies
with tho parents. Calisthcnics as prac-
ticed at the Normal school are not vio-
lent, and arc not injurious rs far as I
know"
THE DOCTORS ARE aRANNIEs.
A. 8. jerks, Of tho Normal school
committees: "Tho doctors who made such
statement arc old grannies. After q
child has been sitting In n school room
for five hours little exercise Is needed.
Calisthonics have been practiced In tho
Normal school for fifteen years that I
- 4
case OF sickness or bad health resulting.
Tho weights used nro light ones, and
would not harm an infant. They arc
great benefit and should DO used moro
extensively than they are. Tho chest Is
expanded and tho muscles given full
play. I'll wager that none Of the physi-
clans ever saw the pupils at exercise"
DIR. Mohr: 81 have been misunderstood
on this question. never intended to say
that calisthenics were generally inju-
rious. With some scholars they are, but
with tho majority the pupils health Is
benefited. They are not nearly 30 hurt
full as the long sessions which scholar
Is obliged TO sit out and not get their
regular midday meal"
DR.. Korndoerfer: ~ do not wish II to
be understood that am finding fault
with the board Of education. am not.
I only desire TO point out an error and
show how II can be rcmcdied. Tho pres
ent system Of calisthonics II bad one.
They should uso Lowis system. At pres
ent the exercise IL entirely too violent.
The arms are thrown out and upwards
with great force. Why, it's enough 10
tear tho child's chest to pieces. Then,
again, the children are told to bend their
bodies backward. They do so, and, as q
result. tho child comes homo and COM
plains Of q sorc back. l advocate tho
use Of light weights, slow movements,
increasing In motion only as tho muscles
and joints become accustomed to tho
rapid movement. The practice should
be repeated daily, and not left for woek
at n time, rs II is now"
THE METHOD NOT PROPERLY APPLIED.
DR. Van Baum: ~ indorsc calisthenics
when they are properly applied TO tho
individual pupil. consider tho method
ut the Girls Normal school open TO criu-
cism. Tho suits cause tho removal OF
tho ordinary skirts and are much shorter
and Of lighter material. Tho selection
and length Of time devoted to tho excr-
ciso IL often injudicious, frequently caus-
ing fatigue. know that Class G, No. o,
Is exercised every other Friday for two
consecutive hours, while q number Of B
| classes had an hour daily for two weeks.
An ordinary pupil cannot stand such
work as this"
DIR. Belts. II consider tho require
| ments Of the Girls Normal school, to-
| gether with the long hours. as too great
strain on tho health Of many OF tho
| pupils. have frequently noticed that
| girls began their work in the fall with
| ruddy faces and all tho evidences Of
| good health, and by tho following June
they looked wan and tired and COM
| planned Of poor health"
Simon Gratz: "The doctors who object
| to calisthenics In the Normal school don't
know what they are talking about. Tho
| weights are Of light wood and tho motion
Is not violent or jerky Tho dresses arc
| OF heavy wooden material and are much
warmer than their ordinary street dresses
| have never known Of girl complain
ing since the method has been IN use.
Weuse Dio Lewis system and that proves
that the physicians don't know what they
are talking about. Tho scholars like 1t
and the School Of Practice scholars, littlo
6-year-old tots, are especially delighted" A."
A girl In Class Is: cts absurd to say
that tho exercises arc too violent. Tho
force Of the movement IL not sufficient to
injure baby. As to the scholars looking
wan and tired. that Is rather duo to the
overcrowded condition Of tho classes and
tho lack Of proper ventilation, which wo
often experience. Tho exercises do not
continue for two hours on any occasion,
and our teacher Is very considerate Of our
comfort. ."--Philadelphia Times.