The times., 1899-03-27
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
Its Moral Effect on Inmate. of "a
Juvenile Asylum.

New York. March 2s.-Science will now
endeavor- TO correct the mental, moral. and
physical abnormalities which may afiiict
friendless children rs a result OF hereditary
taint. early criminal training, or absolute
lack of training. With this idea in view
lhe New York Juvenile Asylum Is con-
quoting the first comprehensive investiga-
tlon ever made along such lines upon an
aosoiuteiy scientific basis. The first report
OF TINS investigation has been made. 1t
SHOWS gratifying results and has been re-
ceived with commendatiop by exnerts in
this country and has been forwarded to
the foremost scientists of Europe whose
comments are expected to be as favorable
as those ELECTED here
Careful study has been made for more
tnan a year of the progressing characteris-
ties OF one thousand children. All examI-
nations have been conducted by Dr. AIss
Hrdiicka. one of the foremost authorities
on pathological matters in the Unit N
states, who Is connected with the Patho-
logical Laboratory of the State Commission
OF Lunacy.
In beginning his experiment. DR.. Hrs-
iicka considered the general character Of
the chiidren admitted to the asylum AL
most without exception they are inferior IN
neaithy children reared in good afmos-
pnere unconsciously they have assumed
| some characteristic which has abnormaIiy
developed some portion of the body They
stand with one shoulder higher than Use
osher they have developed the right hand
and the right leg beyond the left; facial ex-
pressions have been so long assumed that
thtc can hardly be put aside. DR.. Hrd icka
hrst sought to determine whether their
moral character corresponded to their
PHYSICAL characteristics. II IL did. would
they improve morally and mentally as their
physical abnormalities were removed?
Ihe investigation made in this first year
develops that almost invariably the in
feriority of asylum children Is the result
OF neglect, improper nutrition. or criminal
education. 1t is DIR. Hrdlicka's opinion
that all children may be greatly improved
minds
In his report the doctor discusses the
i'ooo children who were brought under
scientlfle Investigation. OF these 63f were
white boys. sc colored boys pa white girls.
and 20 colored girls. The largest percent
age OF normal conditions was found among
the co,ored girls, the smallest among
the coiored boys. Nine per cent of the
white boys were normal. while less than
per cent Of the colored lads could be called
perfect. OF the white girls l3 per cent
showed no trace of abnormality, and
~ per cent of the colored girls we're
normal.
NHits DOyS were the most easily cor
rected. their abnormalities being the least
deeply seated White girls made nearly
as good showing, and colored boys were
the most difficult to correct.
American children stand first in height
and in pressure force of the hands; Irish
children rank first in circumference of
the head: Germans in weight, Russians
in diameter Of the forehead, and Syrians
in height Of the head remarkable dis
proportion is noted in the Irish children
between the circumference OF the head and
the width of the forehead
An immediate and gratifying change in
the children was noted by those in charge
Cleaner morals come with better physical
conditions. AS the body straightens and
approaches the normal the mind quickens
and becomes retentive. and the moral
characteristics are improved. DR.. Hrdlic-
ka does not hesitate to say that in the
majority of cases the greater the physical
improvement the greater is the mental and
moral advancement.
new class. necessarily smaller than
the first, will be formed this year. but the
investigation of those who have been
watched so carefully for twelve months
will be continued
Among those who have given the re-
port high commendation is Prof Clark. of
the Chicago University. who is a leading
pathologist.