The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-28
GIRLS DEFORMED BY DESKS
The Result of Awkward Posi-
ti0ns in the School Room.
Some Statistics From Measurements
of Normal School scholars.
A Note of Warning That should Receive
the Prompt Attention of Parents
and Teachers, and Remedy
should De Applied.

Mr.. t. Bessing is the teacher OF
physical culture at the State Normal
school, the Y. NJ. G. A. and the Los An
geles Athletic club. He is an earnest
student and is we'll qualified to spe ak
authortatively. The following paper by
him, which he read at recent meeting
of the County Educational association,
will be found of great value by parents
OF school children.l
Correctlve-"H Having power to correct !;
or, .ectifying." Gymnastics means sys-
tematc exercise of the muscular sys-
tenn for the restoration OF health, the
development and preservation of the
physical powers. Corrective gymnastics
are movements OF the body specially
adapted to correct physical deformities.
In choosing this subject | do not in
tend to find fault with existing condi-
tions In our schools, nor do l intend to
attack in any way our present mode of
teaching physical work. 1t has been
the source OF much good and many
have been benefited. Still there are
great many who have not been reached,
and these are the ones that shall re-
ceive my attention today.
Nhhllo anu 0Onhu Vi
carrying q number of heavy books on
one arm, standing on one foot, too much
slant writing, etc., are causes of many
deiormities. At our State Normal
school, pupils are admitted on diplo-
ma or having finished ninth grade studies
in our public schools. 1t is customary
there that on entering for phys
ical work thorough physical
examination OF each pupil is
made to ascertain if possible any
irregularity in the height of the shout
ders or hips; any abnormal sposterior
curvature of the spine between the
shoulder blades, any anterior position OF
the hips, any lateral curvature of the
spine, shortness OF one limb, craning of
the neck, etc. Before | proceed to my
subject proper, allow me to inform you
of the result of our last physical exam
ination made in September last with
our present junior class We found
that out OF 12O young ladies, ranging
from 10 years upward, there were 10
who haOitually carried the head too far
forward or craning the neck, II were
round shouldered, 20 had lateral curvs-
ture of the spine and IL carried the hips
forward, a total OF 81, or o little over 80
per cent who had some physical defect
caused from incorrect position while in
the school room. Out OF the above
there were six that had a lateral curva-
ture aud carried the head forward, two
lateral curvature and carried the hips
too far forward, had lateral curva-
tnre and were round shouldered, one
carried the head and hips forward and
one had three OF the above incorrect
positions, one also having a compound
lateral curvature.
This alarming state of affairs has
prompted me to come before you here
today TO call your attention to the
necessity OF corrective exercise and as
far "a possible to avoid and to counter
act THE tendency to deiormity.
''As the twig is bent so the tree is in
clined," is an old saying and quite true.
In youth every bone in the human body
is cartilaginous and it is not until the
child has reached its growth that they
are really bony. l will not try to enter
upon minute anatomy, but SO long as a
bone is cartilaginous, until child is IA
or more, just 80 long 1t is especially sub
ject to the positions in which it is
habituslly placed and it will take shape
accordingly, with danger toward de-
formity, or it will WELD to corrective ex-
existing. Here. fellow teachers, is your
duty, to do whatever you can to save the
little ones from lifelong deformity and
disease. Let IA see what you can do for
your pupils. You can in the first place
ascertain which, if any. are developing
one-sided pastures, anterior or posterior
ones, incorrect position of the shoulder
blades and others. This noticed, call
their attention to it. notify their parents,
and as far as possible forbid them such
attitudes.
The general plan for treatment for
uneven shoulders is simple, If too
high, lower by bending them in that
direction. Ii the hips are held forward,
let your pupil stand on the balls of the
feet and the position will right ITSELF
If one hip protrudes to the side, see that
your pupil stands on both feet. Ii
round shouldered, practice folding arms
backward. These simple exercises will
De of value to such pupils in two ways;
fret, in calling their attention to the
faulty position. and in way correcting
and strengthening the weak parts.
There is one principle | should like to
have you bear ia mind, VIZ: The human