New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-25
PHYSIClL CHLTERE or GIRLS.

4 notable feature Of college education or
young men ut the present time Is the attention
paid TO physical culture. This Is not confined
TO such athletic sports and games as they vol
UNFAIRLY engage in, although these play an I'M
portant and generally benefcent part. In many
colleges there are regular physical as well as
mental entrance examinations. and systematic
gymnasium work under expert direction Is COM
pulsOry That this has a good effect upon the
students health and general physical welfare
is not 10 be doubted. and it may confidently be
expected that the new generation of college
bred men Will show its beneficial results
throughout their lives. What is at least equally
important. however Is that attention should
also be paid to the physical culture OF young
women. II IL not enough that they should en-
gage In athletic diversions. such az cycling
tennis golf and the like. These are good In
their place But there is also needed systematic
training OF n special character to suit each in
diyIdual case and this II is evident Is best 10
no had In connection with ordinary school life.
Interesting light IL thrown upon both the
need and the way in which 1t is TO be met by
Dr. c. H. Lewis. OF this city. In recent num-
Der OF ''The School Journal lie was called
upon TO examine thirty girls in well-known
well-to-do and cultivated families, he found fiji
teen in normally sound condition. Eight OF
them showed weakness % the right chest two
of the left chest and five OF both chests. SIX
Ind weak hearts. and three had spinal curva-
lures. II Is somewhat startling to learn That
half OF the schoolgirls Of this generation are
thus ang but that seems to be the indication
Of this examination. The result Of subse-
Tho
girls in the interval Of five months had sys-
tcmatc ply steal culture. under the direction
OF n thoroughly skilled and conscientious teach
err who aimed to give each girl the exercises
especially suited to her individual condition. Al
the second examination. Of the six weak hearts
four were found TO be improved ana two re-
stored TO n normal condition. All three cases
Of spinal curvature were improved. or the
eight allng right chests ak were improved and
two made normal Both the weak left chests
were made normal And Of the five cases In
which both chests were weak. Improvement
was noted In four and complete cure In one.
These are tangible results, the value Of which
IL lndisputable Opinions may differ Ms to the
value Of the Delsarte movements in the Inter
probation OF literature and as 10 the desirable
ity OF basket ball and sculling ms maIdcnly nc
complishmcnts. Concerning the value OF sound
lungs. strong hearts and straight spncs, there
II no room FOR doubt. II systematic physical
training Of schoolgirls will restore such condi-
lions 10 those who lnck them. and confirm those
who already have them in their possession, Its
importance IL evident II certainly Is n thou
sand.fold better 10 render boys and girls I'm
mune against disease by agreeable and grace
full exercise than TO let them grow up weak and
aning and then try TO cure the disease after II
is fully developed The diploma nj commence
ment indicates that the student has made intel
lectual progress while in the school. II would
bc most satisfactory II there could be coupled
with It an authoritative certificate that the
students physical health WINS also better on
leaving the school than on entering H.