New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-01
DIR. SARGENT ON PHYSICAL CULTURE

EXPLAINING THE SYSTEM OF HEMENWAY
GYMNAsIUM-vALUE OF PROPER EXERCISE.
Boston. Nov. 80 (speciaD.-Ihe subject of physical
training in schools and colleges is receiving unusual
attention at present A conference this subject
on the part of leading educators begun yesterday
in Boston, and continued to-day. and was participated
I'm by President Eliot Of Harvard College, Presldeht
Walker OF the Institute Of Technology; Dr. Ed"aM
Hitchcock Secretary Dickinson. of the Board OF Edu
cation; the Earl of Meath President Warren. of the
Boston University President Helen shaefer, of Weaes-
ley College and others. To-day Dr. ID. A. sargent
of Harvard College, read paper on the system OF
physical training at the Hemenway Gymnasium. lie
said in part:
Every student is entitled TO an examination, and the
OF them avail themselves of IT, The STUDENT IS
then required TO 60 through certain exercises anu
are taken. These kept for comparisons. and To
show what advance he is making. The gymnasium is
now managed that student Is not required 10
compete with stronger than himself but can eX-
ercise alone Gentle running exercise is recommended
it promotes circulation and starts peisplration'
tant for the health of the student Sponge or shower
baths are regarded as the best. Heavy gymnastics
on by the students belonging 10 athletic clubs. 1t is
believed that it IS better 10 have 100 men snOng.
healthy and athletic, than one man. or team, who
can break records. There are in Harvard College 245
students to-day VINO can supsis e 'ests aPpea 90
the gymnasium is entirely voluntary, there 200
students who make use of its advantages.
Dr. Sargent expressed pleasure at witnessing so
much interest taken in physical culture, but thought
there was danger of its being carried 10 an extreme.
This was 10 be seen in books of instruction issued 10y
manufacturers Of athletic apparatus for adverisinG
purposes and BY the advocacy OF exercises requiring
no apparatus. lie insisted upon the necessity OF
student working with the object Of developing his
muscles Although he mag be engaged in something
else that will bring the muscles into action 1t
will not have the same good results. There must also
be resistance and thers must be vigor ard rapidly
I'm the movements. As many muscles as p0s slbl'
must be brought into action. There must be no
restraints when taking exercises, the wearing OF
tight clothing Rest must follow action and there
must be change of activity
The spealer condemned all gymnastics that required
constant tension, such atludinzlug and the coin
pelling of children 10 remain IN one position. lie
believed that it would be far better for children
they turned loose i'm carretcd room without
cha rs during their periods OF Instruction. than 10 keep
them I'm cramred positions in the school Another
essential is the development Of heat in the body. In
order 10 realize the best results. muscular cnorf should
be followed by a bath and vigorous rubbing. In every
kind of physical exercises the qualities az first Iuired
arc the qualities al length developed. man can be
made courageous. active, vigorous and selfrel aat by
appropriate physical training The men who kick
footballs arc the very who have 10 lay oil after
the season for rest and recreation. Those WHO have
been the most successful In heavy gymnastics are the
very ones who are subject 10 nervous complaints