Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1895-12-12

ing maze through
rev science known as pathology or
more literally. child study.
All Of the large colleges and universe
ties in the United States have now pro-
yided courses in what is known as the
new psychology. Connected with these
are completely equipped laboratories
for studying the minutest details of the
great mental system. The principal in
yestjgations in these workshops are
made upon children. This is for the
reason that most college students I'M
dertaking psychological courses are pre-
pairing to be pedagogues, that is to say,
teachers of the young. The child-study
laboratories in colleges bear to the de-
partment of education much the same
relationship which the agricultural eX-
pertinent stations connected with vari-
ous universities bear to the department
OF agriculture-so far as is concerned
the collection and diffusion of the
knowledge obtained. Instead Of prac-
ticing with plants to learn the most de-
srable processes for their cultivation.
the former experiment stations study
the budding infant mind.
Reports upon the work done thus far
in all of these laboratories have lately
been collected at the bureau of educa-
ton by Miss E. Toleman Smith, an edu-
cational specialist, to whom the writer
is indebted.
1t would appear that the child of the
fIrf &c IN ny1i a n a "a,
school life Every effort is being made
by these expert paidologists to detect
weaknesses in all of the State school
systems. Although the youth of the
present generation fares many hun
dreds per cent better than did his
grandfather, made to sit almost all day
on a hard-seated stool, in constant fear
of the rve-shattering switch. the pu-
pill of the twentieth century will be re-
lieved of many discomforts at present
existing
1t is the opinion of most child-stu-
dents that our boys and girls are edu-
Gated too much according to the av-
erage child's ability. The average boy
can sit still certain length of time, he
can hear common conversation so many
feet away, his nerves are sensitive to A
certain degree, he can endure a certain
amount Of pain and exposure, he can
work in a certain amount of light, he
can study so much il certain night
he can remember so much of his yester-
days lesson, and SO on. But what is t.
become of him who is below the av-
erage? If below the average in hear
ing, sight, memory, nerve, strength, en-
durance, etc, must he be put back in q
lower grade or given chance to &C
ahead, provision being made for his
weaknesses until cured?
In the model experimental laboratory
for childstudy is found apparatus fol
studying the motor abilities, rapidit.
OF actions, powers of attention, percep
ton. memory, WILL sensitiveness to ia.
tlgue, pain, and hundreds of other con
dltions both of children and maturet
persons. They are made to sleep ii
balances graduated to such fine point:
mat the slightest irregularity of pulse
respiration, circulation. temperature
etc. may be detected. Mild doses o.
Narcotics and nervines are given. The
patient is put under an air pump am
the effect Of varying pressures of at
mosphere against the entire surface o.
the body is observed. Certain muscle.
are worked until tired. The effects O.
hypnotism. electricity. varying degree.
OF light. heat and sound, and also o.
chemicals. both tasted and smelt, are
also tested. All of these investigation.
are made without pain or discontinue
to anyone