The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-09-28
TEMPERANCE PHYSIOLOGY.

In more than thirty States and ln-all
the Territories, teachers are required by
law to teach the nature and effects of
alcoholics and narcotics upon the haman
system. But diligent inquiry in several
parts of this State prove very ccnclu.
sively that the law is not very strictly
obeyed. think I would be safe in say.
ing that the Law is not strictly complied
with in half the country and primary
schools Of this State. This may be.
source of surprise to some, and matter
of disbelief with others: But investigs-
ton will sustain my statement. More
over, investigation in other States might
reveal similar facts. The law ir this
State requires, as it does in majority of
the States, that this subject shall be
taught to all the pupils. 1t has been
given out by State School Commissioners
aud other competent. judges, that oral
instruction will meet the requirements in
primary grades. But this oral instruc-
ton is too frequently absent. Teachers
with whom have conversed on thia sub.
iect have sometimes said that the reasons
they did not instruct the little ones in
this branch was, that they had no books
that gave them the right kind of lessons
on the subject. This is not valid ex-
cuse. Any one who pretend' to be COM
petent to teach school, should be compe-
ent to teach this subject to the little peo.
pie. There are now many textbooks
designed especially for primary grades,
ard teachers who attempt to teach the
subject orally may learn how to present
admirably by consulting them. To help
such teachers wanting, suggestions I
present the following synopsis and hints:
Why it Should be Taught-Aside from
tho fact that the law requires teachers to
instruct on this subject, the moral obli'
CATION of the teacher is certainly very
plain. The main thing is to teach chit
dren never to make the first trial of the
use of alcoholics and narcotics.
How 1t Should be 7augM.-1n all
grades below the grammar grade it can
be taught orally with good success, but
the intermediate grade it may be best to
have text book, provided it has been
taught orally in the grades below. In
graded schools it may be taught to all the
pupils of The school as one class. Before
the children are taught alcoholics and
narcotics they must understand the chief
facts in the physiology of the organ to be
talked about. Teach in conversational
tone. Ask the children questions about
things they know. Ask them to tel! you
what you have told them. Guard against
telling what they cannot understand.
illustrate plainly the name, use, location,
andhealthy condition of the organ to be
when possible. Use the children freely
to show these facts. Every lesson SHOULD
be divided into three parts: first, re-
view of the preceding lesson; second, the
presentation of new facts and illpstra'
tions; third, direction of attention to the
chief facts to be remembered, and an
nouncement of the subject of the next
lesson. Strive to avoid wounding the
feelings of any who may have drunken or
inebriate parents. Do not allow chill.
dren to name any examples oftbe dsgra'
ton they have seen, but you may tell
them what you have known in this
respect, being careful to make nothing
personal.
Order of Study.-Atter due attention
has been paid to physiology, the teacher
is ready to take up the study of stimu.
lants and narcotics. Alcohol should be
studied first. Have small bottle full
for illustration. Do not lose sight Of the
Importance of object lessons. After your
pupils have learned its properties and
effects upon the various organs OF the
body (the principal organs in particular),
and have learned something of the pro-
cesses of its manufacture, Rext take up
the subject of tobacco. After they have
learned what you wish them to know
about tobacco, teach them of the nature
and effects of tea, coffee and chocolate.
They may next learn some very interest
ing facts about opium, chloroform, laud
anum, etc. This subject, as combined
with that of physiology, should receive
some attention every day.
Alcohol.-How it looks and how it
tastes its being lighter than water illus
trated; illustrate its boiling point; its
strong attraction for water; its use in
thermometers; why used in the spirit
lamp; its use in dissolving gums, and in
preserving animal and vegetable matter;
the processes Of its manufacture the
kinds of beverages containing alcohol
how, and for what purposes, it is adul.
,erated; effect of alcohol upon the stom-
ach, the blood, the brain, and as conse-
quence, on all the organs of tho body.
Experiments agith AlcohoI.-Many ex'
periments can be made that will interest
the children. The teacher can make a
spirit lamp out OF q mucilage bottle.