Mower County transcript., 1890-08-06

IWtoMAN's PHYSICAL HEALTH,
Importance OF Rotllly Training ami Hy
gionsO PrHCantlOn.
is Mr. frederick Treves calls attention
g perfectly new branch Of work un,
dertaken by the society with reference
20 physical education. Within tho las
few years On immense deal OF attention
nad been directed to the matter Of phys
lcat education. It had been pointed
out that the eduoatio Of the mind was
we'll looked after while the educat tior
OF the body was practically allowed tt
look after itself, Parents did not real
ixe that proper physical education must
oe conducted on a. precise and o. care
iul scientific lines as the ordinary edu
cation OF tho mind. Parents were quite
content to send their children to gym
nasiums, and when they had done this
ielt satisfied that their physical aducs'
tion was complete. They were unaware
that there was no proper control owe,
the teachers OF gymnastics and calls.
thenics. large number OF whom were
people totally unfit for their work.
The particular, object of the society
had, perhaps, rather more reference to
children and women than to mon and
boys. AS matter Of fact, tho latter
class was admirably looked after. No
ma IN Intn -
tho athletic pursuits OF our public
schools. When they came to the Lon
don shop boy they found his condition
had been materially changed; he hnd
taken to bicycling and other pursuits.
When they came to schools, and espe-
clally girls schools, 1t must be con-
fessed that the conditions were about
as bad as they very we'll could be.
They heard a good deal OF the enor-
nous advances of civilization during
the last Atty or hundred years, and
their enormous improvement on the un-
fortunate savage, who had straight
limbs, graceful carriage, and an ab-
sence of the ordinary aches and pains,
and he was not disposed to be always
taking tea or to be living in an
atmosphere Of tonics. People did
not seem to be awars that by q
judiciously supervised system OF phys
ical education, exercises and due at
tention to the development Of the body,
1t was possible to alter its proportions,
to reduce redundances, and to develop
deficient and feeble muscles. Motives
Of vanity and regard for tho future
physical development Of their girls
might so influence mothers who were
Indifferent to higher considera tions to
see that the physical education Of girls
was carried out, whether in families or
schools, under persons trained, skilled
and having the requisite knowledge to
make such physical training in all
respects useful and in no cese injurious.
Neither could be said OF the very linn
tied amount Of physical training now
given to girls. 1t was pointed out that
the National Health Society's diplomas
would be granted to such teachers of
gymnastics, calisthenics and physical
exercises as had fulfilled the necessary
curriculum and passed the required OK =
aminations.
The society hoped by the institut ton
Of this diploma to encourage the de-.
velopment OF physical education in this
country; to render such training pre-
else, effeotual and scientific; to protect
tho public, on the one hand. from in
competent teachers, and, on tho other.
to establish the position Of such in
structors as were fully qualified. 1T
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, phys
ical training, and that they should not
undertake the treatment of deformity
or disease by movement oures," ''rem-
edial exercises, massage, and the like.
The diploma would certify that the
candidate had passed an examination
in the art and science Of physical edu-
cation, had fulfilled the curriculum re-
quired by the society, and was fully
qualified to act as an instructor of gym
nastics, oalisthenics and. Physical exer-
cises generally.-Dritish Medical Jour
nal.