The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
DEFENDED.
Dr.. J. W. Bell Refutes Arguments
Of Dr.. ]. G. Herman.
INSANITY N '.l AMONG TEACHERS
Weak Minds That
Causes 1t.

DR.. ]. w. Bell takes issue with DR.. J.
G. Kiernana, of Chicago, who said in q
recent interview that the exactions of the
teachers work have far less to do with
the increase of insanity among school
teachers than have the mental and phys
ical makeup of the teachers. DIR. Kier
nan based his conclusion on the assnmp-
hon that School teaching. above almost
every other occupation, is likely to attract
the mentally deficient to it" He also de-
clared that "the system Of competitive ex-
amlnat1oms which determines a teachers
qualifications is the system best adapted
to admitting these deficient candidates to-
the work. He said further that the
competitive system had long since shown
itself peculiarly open to idiots and indi-
viduals incapable of caring for their per-
sons, who were most proficient in storing
up information from text books and en-.
cyclopedias. Sooner or later, he be-
lieves. every class of competitive exam
ination is dominated by class of people
whose influences make it abortive. Fa-
voridsm develops. and no one is reader
than the deficient to take advantage Of
this. DR.. Herman thinks his eXplana-
ton would account for chronic insanity
among school teachers. 80
DR.. Bell believes, on the contrary, that
school teachers, as a class, are exception
ally strong minded women. The very ma
they shall be mentally we'll balanced, and
in the average public school any mental
deficiency will soon make them unit for
work. Says DR.. Bell: Z.
I have had occasion to note an alarming
increase of nervous troubles among school
teachers of this city. It Is my opinion that
there is no calling in the world to-day so
nicely calculated to wear out woman's
nerves as school-teaching. There are thou
sand and one annoying and exasperating in
fuences with which the school teacher Is
constantly coming in contact If a woman
is strong mentally and physically, she can
shake of the enervating effects of her voca-
ton. But let a woman be Of a somewhat
nervous temperament and a bit emotional,
and there is nothing in the world that will
so surely wear out and wreck her mind
as teaching think are too much in
clined to belittle the amount of work which
falls to the lot Of the average teacher. 1
have observed, as physician, that teachers
with tubercular troubles succumb more
quickly than any class of patients with a
consumptive tendency. The disease seems to
get deeper root in their system, which
makes little effort to shake it off. as-# e.
The vitiated atmosphere OF overcrowded
schoolroons is bad. Then there are children
in every schoolroom who ought not to be
there. There are mental defcients who
should be in special institutions devoted to
their care. These children are reverend
ing source of trouble and worry to teachers.
and are often enough to make the latter go
crazy. agree with DR.. Ogle of London that
notwithstanding is not conducive to health or
longevity. This applies with greater force
to teachers of elementary classes, whose en-
ergies are kept on full stretch to satisfy the
board of education and accomplish results on
which their income depends. I think myself
that there are too many fads in our schools.
In fact, too much is expected of both pupil
and teacher. We are crowdng their mental
capacities. ~ -. - - I'll. as... 49,.
If insanity is ON the increase it should
be most marked among women. OF the
$4,000 teachers in the public school of the
United States. the women outnumber the
men 20 TO l..