The morning call., 1891-10-22
CULTURE AND CURVED sPINEs.

There is a somewhat general disposition
among educators to make light of the idea
that our school children iDjure themselves
by excessive study. Probably cOnsidera.
bic proportion do not, but there is much
reason to believe that a good many do. a
correspondent submits the following on this
interesting subject:
AT a recent meeting of the Collegiate Alumne
called 10 consider the question: Should Physical
Training BE Required for Girls In Colleges and
High SchoOls?'' Walter Magee, Professor OF
Physical Culture at the University Of California
made tile startling statement that In recent
examination given by him to large ladies'
school OF good physical average, 33 per cent
were found to be suffering from curvature Of the
spine, and 80 per cent had hollow chests and
shoulder deformties.
What is The cause Of this depiOrable state OF
afairs2 and what is the remedy?
The Collegiate Alumn9 seem TO attribute It TO
a lack OF proper physical exercise ana think the
remedy lies In the establishment OF gYmnasiums
nnder the direction Of women physicians.
Gymnastica exercise properly followed may
correct he evil 10 some extent, but the absence
OF any system OF exercise is not the cause OF the
trouble
The root of the evil lies deeper; shoulders are
rounded, spBes bent and the nerve forces ex-
haused by Oyerstudy. Yes, and some OF our
arls-we speak from facts-are sent to insane
asylums by this same peinicous system OF
cramming.
When students remain at their desks for five
Lours day, aud pore over their books four or
five hours more every night. il will need more
than puny attempt at gymnastics for half an
hour daily TO correct the harm done them. If
the girls were given no home study or even
reasonable amount, they might have time for
recrealion" and physical culture, if they
choose.
# is well known that physical work and men
tai work draw from the same source, are sup
piled from the same nerve force. at the Sian.
ford University this fact Is recognized. DIR.
Wood, who has charge Of the gymnasium In that
institution, says that physical training is cleo
tive and counts for degree as regular study.
Exercise is something. but rest-opr Ortunlty for
the renewal Of the vital foTce-is more, and this
opportunity, as may be seen by the hours re-
| qured for study, is exactly what our girls have
not The Persians in training their athletes OBJ
served this principle. All the exercise they al
lowed was moderate walk daily, and even this
was stopped for several days before the contest,
and while They did not equal the Greeks In mere
strength they exceled In activity and energy.
This is no light matter. II the figures OF Pro-
fessor Magee are true-and there Is no reason to
doubt them-lI Is appallngl Something should
be done, and done soon. II this cramming
method Is destroying our girls at this rate it
should be stopped al once Nine or ten hours
study day Is more than any one can do to ad-
vantage; bnt even If II were necessary IN order
TO cover the course laid out in the high schools
this would be no excuse.
No amount OF culture can repay for a curved
spine; no learning compensate for shattered
nerves and ruined Bealth.