Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-18
CHINESE GYMNASTS.
Physical Education Among the Celes-
tials of Ancient Times.
THE INVENTORS OF MASSAGE.
Little Mongolians Practicing Calisthenics
in the Public Schools.
DRILLING A NATION BACK TO HEALTH.
WRITTEN FOR THE D1spArcH.l

WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPArcH.l
In spite of the frequent reference among
educators and in educational literature to
the fact that all education should aim at
producing sound mind in healthy body,
it is we'll known that this important truth is
too often forgotten. That the ennobling of
the mind at the expense of physical excel
lence should be q trait of modern education
is in one respect remarkable protest against
the time-worn charge of vanity preferred
against mankind; for it is plainly evident
to the careful observer that the modern
youth of either sex does not maintain the
pardonable and even laudabIe ambition Of
physical perfection, but generally depends
upon tailors and dressmakers for beauty of
form and symmetry of proportions.
Whatever is said to the contrary, modern
man during his never ceasing struggle for
wealth and luxury has almost entirely lost
sight of that manly ideal, which was char
acteristic to the middle ages and more essen
tally to the Greeks and Romans OF old.
With the exception of few European ma
tions. particularly the Swedes, physical
speak. 1t Is true that in the United States
a number of gymnasiums have been erected,
but still it is not generally conceived that
the best physical training will not aim to
make either athletes, acrobats or professional
sportsmen.
ANCIENT GYMNASTs.
In order to srrive at right understand
ing Of the ideal purposes of physical educa-
tion and gymnastics, namely, the promotion
of health of body and mind, by the harmoni-
Gus developmentotthef former and its making
into O ready servant of the later it is neces-
sary to study the subject historically and
to consider its practice and customs among
different races and during different periods
and stages of development. The original
gymnastic exercises of the ancients con-
sisted mainly OF rythmical movements such
as dance and pantomlme associated with
religious worship and feasts. Much later it
was developed into pedagogical training and
warlike purposes, and still further certain
exercises and movements were successfully
employed with therapeutical designs. Con-
sequently it is manifest that gymnastics
were intimately connected with the inner
life of the people, being part of its religious
observances, education and hygiene.
According to 7. Amiot, in his "L'Abrege
Chronologique de PHistoire de PEmpire
Chinais," the diseases during the Emperor
Yu-Kang-Chi increased at an alarm
ing rate as a result of various climatic
changes and disturbances. With view of
ameliorating this condition and of improv-
ing the hygienic condition of his people,
the Emperor ordered the performance by
his subjects of various military exercises
and evolutions, and by this wise measure
the general health of the nation was in
course Of time maintained. 1t appears that
diverse dances were included in these
maneuvers, with and without the equip
ment of shield and flag. This practice was
persevered in until the reign of Emperor
Fou-Hi, who fourished about 3, ,4s8 years
before the Christian era. 1t is, therefore,
evident that gymnastics were employed to
the benefit of the people il China at this
distant age, and much earlier than is re.
corded by any other cultured nation. 1t
appears also that tine Chinese were con-
versant not only with the pedagogical use
of gymnastics for training and drill to the
preservation of health, but also conceived
the
- PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
thereof on the organism in a manner that
even to Harvey would have appeared most
valuable hint. From Chinese writings it is
ascertained that their physicians and
learned men held that within the organism
circulates subtle fluid matter, the motion
of which was supposed to decline or alto
gether stagnate, if the body was not in mo-
ton. Various maladles originated in con-
sequence of such stagnation. Ancient Chi
nese engravings represent anatomical de-
monstrations and gymnastic exercises not
only active, executed without aid, but also
passive and sefni-passive, with the help of
assistants, who were also skilled in knead-
ing, stacking, pressing and all the multi
farious dexterities of rudimentary massage.
1t seems, therefore, that the ancient Mon
golians, to q certain extent, appreciated the
therapeutical virtue OF gymnastics, and. in
this, as well as in other respects, were ahead
of modern culture.
+, In China it was deemed inseparable from
liberal education of the young to dance and
sing we'll, and in the most remote times
public schools existed where. besides this
accomplishment, instruction was impaired
in arithmetic, penmanship, history and in the
art of driving a carriage. 1t is said OF the
great philosopher and religious founder,
Kon- -Fut-Tse (Contucius), that he partici-
pated in gymnastic practices with much
skill and diligence. The priests have in their
possession a system of gymnastics, named
Kong Eau, which includes different posi-
tions of the body and various methods of
respiration. The principal positions are the
standing, the sitting and the recumbent.
CHINESE CALIsTHENICs.
First-From the standing position various
different postures are derived, by the NOV
ing OF the legs apart, by the planting of one
foot forward, backward or to the side. By
the posing of the arms vertically or horizon
tally, or by lifting one arm upward, one
downward, or by striking an attitude
akimbo. By leaning the body forward,
sideward or backward, etc.
Second-From the sitting position diverse
attitudes are obtained much in the same
manner as when standing.
Third-In the recumbent position expedi-
ent variations were gained by resting either
on the back, prostrated face down or lying
upon one side, and by all the numerous
pointings of arms and legs previously men,
toned, including different positions of the
head.
/. With skillful and methodical system of
bending and stretching, raising and lower
ing, extending and closing of arms and
legs, peculiarly varying and almost un-
limited mass of gymnastic postures, move
ments, exercises and attitudes are obtained
in the system of Kong-Fan, tending to the
development of every muscle ana sinew of
the body harmoniously and symmetrically.
1t is also worth attention that the Chinese
have known and applied gymnastics for