The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-17

tions- of learning are devoted TO intel
lectual and moral culture, while there
is no organized means of physical cul-
ture. In our cities almost nothing is
done to supply the great demands of the
system for physical exercise. just here,
where the efforts in this direction should
be the greatest, this all-important sub
ject is practically ignored. Medical au-
thorities throughout the land have ever
and anon been giving their warning cry,
but thus far it has been but little heed
ed. DR.. Skene sums the matter up in
these words: According to my obser-
walton of the subject as it stands at the
present time, the chief cause Of imper-
feet development in women is imper-
feet general physical culture. Mental
and moral education have their infiu-
ence upon sex, but they cannot take the
place of bodily health
1.-THE period of childhood is cut too
short. Children are not allowed enough
time to grow, to perfect their mental
and physical evolution Children in
this country are to apt to be precocious,
W ne lllllt llltll anu WOlllCh NiiiN ShNS
are still children in years. Among girls
the emotional natures are too much
cultivated, and they are encouraged too
early to enter society. Up to ten or
twelve years of age boys and girls
should lead much the same life, the
girls engaging in almost the same
games and pastimes as the boys. THE
tendency to mature thought and occu-
pations should be restrained and dis
couraged. The spirit of play and out
door exercise should be fostered in
| every way possible. The disastrous
consequences which come upon peo-
pie as result of the enervating in
| fluences of civilization affect the health
of women in a far greater degree than
that of man. In her the consequences
are more quickly seen and greatly in
| tensiied. The remark is often made,
and not without reason, that Ameri-
can women are the weakest in the
world; and If this be not strictly true,
it certainly is freely conceded that ner-
vous diseases do prevail among Ameri-
can women to a greater extent than IN
the women of any other civilized coun-
try. The decline from strength to weak
ness has been gradual and hence not
always so noticeable. But in comparr
ing one generation of girls and women
with another this fact is plainly seen
Indeed, there is q prevailing notion
that weakness Is a legitimate condition
that i'll health Is quite natural state
of the sex, that semi-invalldism is al
indication of refinement, and thai
strength Is rather condition of coarse
ness. But within the past few years
there has been a somewhat healthier
reaction from these false notions. The
feeling is growing, as it should, tina
health is not merely a matter of per
sonal comfort, but is indispensable t.
the prosperity of people, and is fac
of tremendous significance as bearing
on the moral questions of the day.
"The saying that all disease Is a sir
is not mere empty phrase, but rests
upon demonstrable facts. In the words
of Dr. Felix oswald, every disease Il
a protest of nature against the active o
passive violation of her laws. But tina
protest rarely follows upon a first trans
gressiOn, never upon trifles; and life
long sufferings-the effects of an in
durable injury Xcepted-generally i'm
ply that the sufferers mode of life /
habitually unnatural in more than on
respect But what are the causes, ant
where his remedy? How are we to i'm
prove the physical well-being of wo
man? This is the momentous question
The deteriorating effects of city lif
have been touched upon, and the eX
cessive nervous development and men
, tai strain incident to it pointed ou
Improper food Is doubtless q great fac
\ tor, but lack of exercise and imprC
o prietes Of dress are two of the creates
evils. The latter 1 have neither tn
e time nor the disposition to consider a
II present at any length. Women, hel
4 self, has grappled with this question /
earnest, and the needed reform is slowl
but surely progressing. In the shol
4 time remaining for me I would like
II briefly point out what can be done
: remedy the physical deterioration {
= woman by physical training. The art
g fetal conditions and diseases of moder
:, life can only be remedied by resortin
- to artificial means of obtaining exc
=, else, and this must be done by organize
y and systematic effort. Leaders {
3 thought and great movements of II
- day must lend their aid, Suitab
> means and proper places for securir
II physical exercise are demanded. Bl
even these are of small value unle!
u suitably qualified persons are provide
. to instruct in their use, explain the
% action, necessity and limitation. I'll
l. Young Mems Christian association
,e throughout our land have already doi
l. noble work in providing suitab
e equipped gymnasia for the young me
"a and good beginning has been made
X the Young Women's Christian associ
n tions. l have no hesitation in sayii
~ that the need of them here and II
n good which they may accomplish
IN far greater than in the Young Mer
IN Christian associations. The boys al
" young men, both from preference al
ne necessity, secure more or less physic
n development, whether special provisic
ne is made or not. Not so with the gil
- ana YOUNG WUllleH. MlSldhtll lucas
es propriety, conventionalities in DIRE!
ne ignorance, want of opportunity and /
of centive, alike operate to prevent the
It. securing the one thing most needful
ne their physical well-being. Every You
e. Womens Christian association in IL
MS broad land should make all the prov
ed sion in it's power to secure to its mel
he bers some form of physical trainir
he The urgent necessities of this cannot
1T too strongly set forth. Even thou,
an gymnasia were thousands times mo
en- numerous than they are at present,
re every school in the land made sol
se special provision for physical develc
a ment there would still exist urge
he reasons why the Young Women's Chr
IT. tian association should specially {
10. gage in this work, as 1t has field pee
ed liarly its own, reaching a large clf
'or who sadly need such training and w
he
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