The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-05
WOMAN's PHYSICAL HEALTH.

importance of Bodily Training and NY
xienic Precaution.
Mr.. Frederick Treves calls attention to a
perfectly now branch of the work under
taken by the society with reference to phys
ical education, says the British Medical
Journal. Within the last few years an i'm
mense deal Of attention had been directed
to the matter Of physical education. 1t had
been pointed out that the education of the
mind was we'll looked after, while the edu-
cation Of the body was practically allowed
to look after itself. Parents did not realize
that proper physical education must be con-
Quoted on as precise and as careful scien-
tific lines as the ordinary education of
the mlnd.-Parents are quite content to
send their children to gymnasiums. and,
when they have done this feel satisfied that
their physical education was complete.
They were unaware that there was no proper
control over the teachers of gymnastics and
callsthenlcs. large number of whom were
people totally untitled for their work.
The particular object of the society had,
perhaps, rather more reference to children
and women than to men and boys. As q
matter of fact the latter class was admir-
ably looked after. No one could find much
to criticize in the athletic pursuits of our
public schools. When they came to the
had been materially changed; he had taken
to bicycling and other pursuits. When
they came to schools. and especially to girls
schools, it must be confessed that the condi-
tions were about as bad as they very we'll
could be. They heard good deal Of the
enormous advantages Of civilization during
marvellous improvement on the unfortunate
savage, who had straight limbs, graceful
carriage. and an absence of the ordinary
aches and pains, and he was not disposed to
DO always taking tea or to be living in an at
mosphereof tonics. People did not seem to
system of physical education, exercises, and
due attention to the development of the
body, it was possible to alter its proper
tions, to reduce redundances, and to develop
deficient and feeble muscles. Motives of
vanity and regard for the future physical
tiuence mothers, who were Indifferent to
higher considerations. to see that the phys
ical education of girls was carried out,
whether in families or in schoals, under
persons trained, skilled, and having the
requisite knowledge to make such physical
case injurious. Neither could be said of
the very limited amount of physical train
ing now given to girls. It was pointed out
that the National Health society's diplomas
would be granted to such teachers of gym
nastics, oalisthenics and physical exercises
as had fulfilled the necessary curriculum
and passed the required examinations.
The society hoped by the institution of
this diploma to encourage the development
of physical education in this country; to
render such training precise. effectual and
scientific; to protect the public, on the one
hand, from incompetent teachers; and. on
the other, to establish the position Of such
instructors as were fully qualified. It was
intended, however. that the work of such
teachers should be devoted and restricted
to the one legitimate object set forth in the
diploma, namely, physical training. and
that they should not undertake the treat
ment of deforlnity or disease by ''move-
ment cures" remedial exercises" mass
age and the like. The diploma would Ger
tify that the candidate had passed an exam
nation in the art and science of physical
education, had filled the curriculum re-
quired by the society, and was fully quail
fed to act as an instructor of gymnastics,
calisthenics and physical exercises gener-
ally.