Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1889-10-11

Letter from Deputy Stale Sup't
Stewart on Physiology and
Hygiene. ID

From the Harrisburs Iadeesadcas Of Au-
gust 3, we clip the following letter, Which
cannot fail 10 be Of the deepest interest
and of 50 much value TO all who are inter-
ested in securing faithful enforcement of
the law.
IL IL understood that n nnmber of the
Harrisburg teachers favored teaching this
blAneh Of the common school studies oral
ly and dispensing with the use Of books.
Their desire created considerable comment
and is opposed by many parents. By the
following letter, which Is q reply Go Q com
munication addressed 10 the school depart
meut on the subject. il will be seen that
such course would conflict, not only with
public opinion. but with the act of Assem-
bly, on the subject:
HARRIsBCRs, Pa. August !, 1889.
C. FestbrcoE, Jr.
DEAR SrR-In your communication OF
July 81, addressed to the superinfsndsnf
Of Public Instruction, the question stated
below is submitted for reply: "woaid the
law in reference TO physiology and hygiene
be complied with II text book were plae-
ed in the hands Of each teacher, below the
High sehoclst md stas ths RaRAls be given
The inquiry addressed by yoar Commit
tee to::the Superintendent of Public Insrtue-
ton, Is substantially answered by a refer
ence to the frat section Of the act of A
sembly relating 10 the study OF physiology
and hygiene in the public schools of the
Commonwealth, approved April 2, 1856,
(P. L., page - which reads As follows
SECTION BE 10 enacted BY fhe Senate
and House of Representatives Of fAs Con-
monrsaIth Of Pennsylrania In General 1s-
ssmIly met, and u IS hereby enacted by the
authority Of the same, That ply solcgy and
ny giene which shall, in each division of
the subject 40 pursued, include special re
ference to the effects Of alcoholic drinks,
stinulants and narcotics upon the human
system, shall be included In the branches
Of study now required by law 70 be tsnght
in the common schools, and shall he intro
duced and stadsed rs regular branch by
|. all pupils. in all depart vimests ol the public
schools Of the Commonwealth, and i'm NIL
educational institutions supported In whole
or in part, by money from the Common
wealth
Regular daily instructions must be given
in physiology and hygiene the same as in
other legal branches Of study, otherwise
the law authorizing and requiring the in
Production and study of this branch will
not be fairly complied with.
Oral instruction, from the necessity Of
the case, may be given by the teachers IN
charge Of the primary grades Of the schools
in which the children are too young TO
make profitable use Of text books on tho
subject. Suitable books, properly adapted
to the age and comprehension Of the pupil
must be studied by all scholars who are
capable of learning in this way.
The subjects must be systematically
studied us well as taught, which cannot be
done successfully without text books in the
hands Of the scholars. The proper pre-
paration of the lessons assigned TO the pu-
pills in the daily exercises Of the schools
makes the use of text books absolutely nee
essary, even il the law did not peremptori-
| ly require their general introduction, % IL
does in this instance.
The law win not be complied with in
letter or spirit by such limitations as are
included in the foregoing question. The
act Of Assembly is clear and explicit on
the point submitted.
It is the duty of directors and controllers
to see that the provisions Of the law are
fully complied with in all departments OF
the schools under their Official Jurisdiction,
and in the performance Of this duty they
ought to have the hearty cooperation OF
the patrons Of the schools.
Very respectfully,