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

would not OtherWlSe OBTAIN IL. Wnere
lack of means precludes the establish
ment Of an equipped gymnasium, some
provision should be made; a physical |
department should be organized and |
the work in some form entered upon. |
In smaller places, where an. abundance
of room Is at hand, outdoor work could
be encouraged and undertaken without
any special instructor. Health talks
could be inaugurated by securing the
aid of the local physicians, and at a
small cost health journals and suitable
books could be furnished for the read
ing room. Every town of 1900 or 5000
inhabitants should have Young Wo-
mems Christian association and an
equipped gymnasium connected there
with. But, you say, how can this be
done? Where will the means come
from? 1t can be done If the necessity
for their existence is shown. 1t needs
but an adequate appreciation of the
aims and uses of this association to pro-
cure the needed funds.
LET us consider for moment what
we'll organized physical department
might mean to Young Woman's Chris
tian association. Were an ample room,
suitable for a gymnasium, provided
with the needful apparatus and pre-
sided over by a skilled instructor at
tached to each association, think of the
good that might be accomplished in the
way of physical regeneration. What
host of girls and young women 1t
would attract. How pleasant and profit
able might be the evenings of those
who through the day had been occupied
in household duties, at school, in the
factory, the office and the store room.
Each applicant for admission to this
department should have a thorough
physical examination by the physical
director to determine the exact needs
of the case; suitable work should be
prescribed to bring up physical def
ciencies, and correct the numberless
faulty habits of posture of standing,
walking and sitting.
"The applicant should be shown why
dropping head, hollow chest, uneven
shoulders, crooked spine and protrud-
ing hips are harmful. What injuries
may result from suspending the weight
of the clothing from the waist with
tight bands; how and why construction
of the waist is one of the most promi'
nent factors n the causation Of the dis
eases of women; that these things not
only effect her health and happiness
now, but may profoundly influence hei
: future we'll being. Should the appli
cant be suffering from any condition
demanding medical attention, she
should be turned over to the medica
director, who, in Young Woman''
Christian associations, should alway:
be a woman. What a world of goot
[ could be accomplished here The ad
= vice and occasional attention of {
skilled woman physician might be thu
means of arresting many diseased con
ditions in their incipiency. l woult
have under this department course o
: lectures upon hygiene in its various
D aspects, laying particular stress upoi
I temperance, social purity, dress reform
3 heredity, diet, cookery and allied sub
jects. | would have course of healtl
talks for children and series of prac
tical lectures for mothers on the car
of children. What we need, above al
? things, is a broader view of physica
, education. This is no visionary idea
.. All disease that can be prevented
: a crime both against ourselves and tn
state. In many instances physical re
generation must precede moral regenel
alton. Life is not to live but to be well
: We cannot buy health, we must dc
q serve it. The woman Of the future,
4 these suggestions be properly borne /
: mind, will be vigorous, healthy, beaut
:. full and all sufficient to the demands c
her lofty position"
Sulnhur stona choins Dovidovv Rroe