New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-01
READY FOR A CONTEST.
MANY VIGOROUS DEFENDERS OF THE
HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

THE ASSERTION OF THE DOCTORS THAT GIRLS
ARE INJURED BY ovERwoRK DENIED-EDU-
GATORS WILL. DEFEND THEIR POSITION.
rhoss wbo are responsible for the management Of
the Girls High School are prepared TO give the
tJomoeonath THO Medical Society of Kings County all
the fight they want when the protest OF the society
against the curriculum Of the school has been pre-
sented 10 the Board of Education at Its meeting to-
morrow The principal and committee OF the school
are not saving much in advance. but is known mat
they are prepared to combat every point the as
serons of the society the effect that the course OF
study at the school Is severe as 10 4endanger
health and eyesght.
When Calvin Patterson. the principal OF the GIFTS
High School. was visited by Tribune reporter at his
home No 20 ST. James Place yesterday he said:
THE course Of study in the Girls High School OF
BROOKLYN is as easy that Of any high school In any
large city. and more so than In many.
Mr. Pat,erson's eyes flashed as he said this in a
way that suggested that he full OF the subject
but not another word could be extracted from him,
as he is saving his ammunition for official reply
when such Is necessary.
WILL NOT SHRINK FROM INVESTIGATION.
city official who Is we'll Informed as TO the cur
riculum and methods In the Girls High School,
but who did not want his name used, as he will be In
the fight which is sure to come. talked little more
freely. ,,,,
will gladly face these charges and will not shrink
ton may fit TO make after this protest has been
presented to i on Tuesday We think i LITTLE
ciety has presented its the public through
the papers before the report has been submitted
dressed. and for which, on the face Of 1t. It was
intended. The claim that the curriculum of this
school is SO severe to undermine the health Of
the pupils is absurd II Is no seyerer than any
other curriculum OF similar schools, and TO sue
cessfuly attack this curriculum it will be neces-
for this medical society to prove that the
throughout the United States is at fault; Only re-
is conclusive proof 10 us that the parents OF the
girls who send DO no a sns Tn s s1
Patterson. ] think i will be possible to get the
testimony Of some nifty physicians whose daush-
fore in the best OF positions to Judge Of our cur
rieuium IN Its relation TO the haalth of the young
actly the same course that Other girls are TAX
Ing. are not overworked.
their attention particularly directed 10 many cases
from this school, where the pupils are compelled
strain put upon the eyes and nervous systsn by
the pressure of the OF study, Is all bosh.
Every es4 %ys nas ana G he
not be avoided.
POOR HEALTH NOT CAUSED BY OVERsTUDY.
The utmost care IL taken 10 keep the school
house in n thoroughly sanitary condition. and the
hours OF study not longer than the usual school
hours of study. and properly interspersed with
recess intervals. during which the girls
couraged to get such exerSise and outdoor air as
sicians declares Itself In favor OF sound mind in
q sound body. and that idea has never been lost
sight Of In the management OF the school 1t Is
quite poe sible that among so many young women.
Coming from all parts OF the city. there may be
sicians 1t would be Impossible that this would
not be the case. but that ill-healh is supernduced
sinSy q DENY most and we stana
ready to meet the medical society at every point"