The Press., 1891-07-02
w. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT.

being appointed superintendent. This de- partment purposes to secure laws in all the states, making it obligatory that physical exercises, according to the best scientific methods fol the development of health and strength, shall be regularly taught in all our public schools. It is or ganized in the expectation of great good to the mothers of the future, through an improved understanding of the laws and practice of health, common-sense methods in dress, food, exercise, etc. ,-
 Although new department of w. c. T. U. work, it is by no means an experi- ment, having been systematically intro- duced into the Washington schools where | a directress of physical culture, Rebecca Stoneroad, is regularly employed. By the way, these schools, under the man. agement of Superintendent Powell, form erly of Aurora, Ill. are fast becoming, as Washington schools should be, models for those of the nation; manual training is introduced into all grades from kinder garten up, adapted with philosophic care to the work of each grade. The thor 1 oughness with which scientific temper ! ance is taught in these schools is we'll known.
 From Miss Stoneroad's last annual re- port we compile these facts. In intro ducing physical culture, she endeavored to carry out the. idea expressed in the name, "health exercises" and made the preservation of health the chief aim {; seeking to secure the regular develop lnent of the body as whole, and such | control over muscle and. movement as will enable children to make the best use of their bodies.
 One great difficulty is the limited space of the schoOl-room; it is no small task to select exercises that are at once helpful and meet the requirements and needs of children, and yet can be performed in the narrow space between two desks. To ar range course which shall be based on physiological facts, with reason for each exercise, which shall lead from the sim- pie to the difficult, reaching every part of the body and developing each in turn, is an undertaking requiring the wisdom and experience of years to develop into sys- tenn. The Germans and the Swedes have each perfected a system, excellent in many ways, but lacking in some elements essential to the broad physical culture of the mass of public school children. Miss StOneroad has endeavored to unite the strength giving qualities of the two sys- tems, choosing the best exercises of each, varied according to the principles of grace laid down by Delsarte. Boys and girls are taught to stand we'll poised i; to sit and rise with ease, to walk lightly and freely; and to move all parts of the body with ease and grace. The muscular de- velopment of the gymnasium is not ex- pected ill the school-room; enough regu- lar, systematic, all-over exercise can be given, however, to counteract the evil ef- fects of long confinement in one position, and to keep the body in good condition.
 Miss Stoneroad says that the work of the year was begun by teaching 8 good standing position whereby the head is held erect and the chest raised, tending to elevate the vital organs to their proper height. The effect of this position upon character can hardly be over-estimated when we consider that an attitude which expresses strength and courage, tends to reproduce in the child, and make perma- nent these same qualities. Deep breath ing has been carried on daily during the school year. The importance of this has been impressed upon teachers and pupils We have encouraged the abdominal breathing, believing that thereby the most thorough expansion of the lungs is secured, which is such an important fac tor of health.
 As a preparation for gymnastic work, she attempts first to eradicate evil habits of body, inherited or acquired, by se- ries of relaxing exercises in which all un- necessary tension is taken out of each member, leaving it lifeless and in a con- dition to move freely and naturally. These relaxing exercises aid in doing away with that rigidity which comes from constant effort in our daily lives. Nerve force is conserved. Relaxation is rest, which should precede and follow all ac- tion.
 Many stretching exercises are given to counteract the tendency in the school room and elsewhere to use the fexor rather than the extensor muscles. Con- stant use of the flexor muscles in every. day occupations gives rigidity to the mus cles, and tends to narrow the chest, push ing the ribs downward lessening the space within, and thereby impairing the free action of important organs. For this turn relaxed. In selecting exercises she has had in view especially the muscles oi the chest, waist, and back, thereby reaching the vital orgains within, thus contributing to the stamina of brain and nerve.
 "Much time has been spent in culti- vating the habit of taking the best stand ing position; in breathing deeply without raising the shoulders, in rising and sitting with ease, and in taking exercises which lead up to good carriage of the body in walking. Simple exercises for the chest, trunk, head, arms, and legs have been given for developing both strength and grace. Graceful movements are seen and initiated by the children. A mere begin ming in vocal work was made by the prac. tice of breathing exercises for the control of the outgoing breath and of exercises for the articulation of the vowel elements
 "The teachers, almost without excep. tion, have appreciated the value of the work, and have tried to secure the best results in their school-rooms.. Each T rt lE-