Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-02


cURED-ISFoRMATIoN BELIEVED TO BE OF
VALUE TO PARENTS.
There seems to be some doubt as to the
utility of the measurements Of children which
have recently been commenced by the bureau
Of education and are being carried on with the
assistance of Superintendent Powell, Miss
stoneroad, directress of physical culture. and
the teachers of the public schools. In regard
to the value and purpose of such physical
measurements. DR.. Arthur Macdonald, special
list in the bureau of education, said to a re-
porter Of The STAR:
some Of the general objects of recording the
heights and weights, &C., Of pupils in the
public schools is to determine the rate OF
growth Of the human race under the conditions
which Washington represents. If the growth
of a race in their native land can be compared
with the growth Of the same race after emigra-
ton to our country, the effect OF emigration
and the adaptability Of other nationalIties to
our surroundings can be studied; also CON-
parison Of the physical condition in city schools
and country schools may show what influence
density OF population and its conditions have. The
effect OF local hygieni conditions on the ply
sique Of growing children may be indicated.
The rate Of growth as between boys and girls of
the same age and Of all pupils of the same age
In different grades may be determined. Thus,
In regard to q boy Of the same age, but in q
tanned how far he Is above the average men
tally, and whether he is SO physically or not.
The value Of this average increases, Of course,
with the number of those measured.
ENTIRELY NEW DATA.
"But in addition to these and other facts being
gathered by the teachers at present, 1 am max
ing some special measurements Of the nervous
system Of the pupils. These have not been
made before, except by q few university pro-
fessors upon themselves or upon one or two Of
their students. But with children little or
nothing has been done. The instruments used
are follows:
1.-The astheriometer is an instrument like a
pair Of dividers which determines the least sensi-
bility to locality by having each pupil tell CLOSING
the eyes, whether he or she feels one or two
points of the dividers. Those who can distin-
guish the points when near together show acute
sensibiiity to locality. This 10 tried on the
wrists of both hands. A second instrument is
the dynamoneter, which measures the strength
of each hand. Another instrument is the bar
asthesiometer, a recent invention by Prof. Eu-
lenburg of Berlin. This determines the least
sense Of pressure that one can feel
THE fourth instrument is called the themo-
asthesiometer, which consists of two Their
mometers, one of which is heated just enough
to feel warmer than the other. They are both
placed on the forearm and the pupil is asked to
tell when the two thermometers feel the same,
aud when this occurs the difference between the
Thermometers is recorded. Thus, the least sem
sibility to heat is obtained. As no experiments
of this nature have been made on any con-
siderable number of persons, and none on chill
dren. 1t is impossible to say at the outset what
the results will be. But il is a priori probable
that any scientific results obtained as to the
condition of the nervous system are Of the
greatest practical value, since they stand in the
most intimate relation with the mental condi-
ton Of the pupil.
SYSTEMS OF PHYSICAL CULTURE.
''The importance of taking physical measure
ments of children in schools lies also in the
fact that they may be considered as a test for
systems Of physical culture to judge Of their
results. As pupils are examined periodically
to test their mental growth and Improvement
il is just as necessary for their welfare that
their physical condition and development be
ascertsined, SO that progress may be gained
In body well as in mind. But there must be
some standard by which we can measure
physical development and growth. This can
only be ascertained by taking measurements OF
q large number Of children Of school all ages.
Although the physical conditions upon which
the activity of mind depends are complex
and so much Is unknown, yet 1t can be said
with almost certainty that at those
ages in which children grow rapidly
there should be a corresponding reduction in
the amount of study required and this should
be done even il the pupil is mentally capable to
do more. for no pupil should be developed in
mind to the detriment Of bodily conditions
The bright scholar, whom parents are too often
inclined to push, needs it the least, especially
il his physical condition is inferior to his
mental The saying that apples which ripen
slowest last the longest is as true 1t is homey
The systematic collection, then, of physical sta
tistics in the public schools will furnish val
liable facts for the hygienist and the educator"