New-York tribune., 1901-03-09
TEMPERANCE PHYSIOLOGY ~ SCHOOL


There is strange mixture Of truth and error IN
the account nov going the rounds of the news
papers regarding the report adopted by the de-
partnenr OF superintenderts % the National Educa-
tional Association its recent meeting in Chicago
to consider the STUDY Of temperance physiology in
the public schools" SAYS Mrs. Mary II. Hunt,
Superintendent for the Worlds and National Won
ans Christian Temperance Union and life director
Of the National Educational Association. That no
authority has been found 70 maintain that alcohol
is food rrue, that school children accordingly
viii be told that alcohol is injurious, and that no
special instruction on its effects on the human
system will be given. is false Nothing in the
perintendeur's report warrants the latter state
nlent
such 2 recommendation would be contrary 70
the laws enacted by Congress and the legislatures
% forty-three States which require that IN connec-
ton with physiology and hygiene instruction as
70 the effects of alcoholic drinks and other mar
cotics u9on the human system be given 10 all
pupils in all public schools That the school
I,erintendent- Of th- country instead OF being op-
posed to the instruction thus required by law,
In active sympathy with II is shown by the report
actually adopted by them without dissenting voice
or vote. The following r. verbatim copy given
10 me 5y Superintendent A 6. Lane. Of Chicago
chairman OF the committee OF seven which pre-
seuted the report ar tho superirtendcnts' meeting
The department Of superintendentz agrees cor
daily with the special advocates ~ The tenn
public instruction can DO in the battle azains in
temperance ought 10 Ie done and that both physi-
olOgy and hygiene should b@ taught 10 leave
the minds of children and youths adequate
and proper knowledge OF the effects Of alcoholic
drinks, stimulants and narcotics on the human sys-
Since the last meeting of this department there
has been considerable discussion OF the question
20 whether alcohol under any conditions Is prop
erly 10 be defined article OF food. Medical
authorities quoted n support of both sides of
this question. bur no authority has been found 10
maintain tnat alcohol is food In the ordinary
sense Of that term. The question Of the supposed
food value of alcohol is technical one for medi-
cal experts 70 determine, and not one which needs
concern the man ana woman VINO are engaged
IN the work of public instruction OF children and
youth. For them it is enough 10 know that its use
beverage IS injurious. and that all authorities
ing habit and in conmendins all practice Die efforts
through public instruction 70 promote the cause OF
temperance
The question of highest importance for teachers
and sUprrint-ndentS of schools to consider
those which relate 10 the methods by which tenn
T,erance instruction shall be impaired the extent
10 which IL shall be carried and the subject mat
ter be- presented
The educational side of this subject is vtaHy I'm
portant and demands thorough ana systematic
study.
we therefore recommend that "A body Of educa-
tional doctrine be formulated which guide
temperance instruction IN the schools throughout
scoue OF the Investigation be enlarged as 20
cover not only the topics already suggested but
also the whole field of personal hygiene, far as
a pracriCa ole matter for school instruction.
We also recommend that this investigation be
conducted under the direction Of the National
Council Education in accordance with the regula-
tions 81 the National Educational Association