Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-09-12
PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
New Courses to Be Studied at
Columbia University.
FOUR WOMEN ARE ON THE. STAFF.


Hygiene OF school and Outdoor XIV
ing to BE Taught-~Hygiene A" O
Sample Plan of the Study-BodiIy
FaiIings to BE Corrected.
The increasing prominence of school
hygiene as a field of instruction is IN
dictated by the announcement that Co
lumhia university has formed a de-
partment for the study Of physical ed
ucatiOn in the Columbia gymnasium,
the new gymnasium In the James
Speyer experimental school and the
projected Frederick Ferris Thompson
memorial building, says the New York
Post. At the head Of the work Will be
DR.. Thomas Denison Wood of Teach
ers' college, who Will be assisted by
an adjunct professor, two instructors
and six assistants d. George L. Mey-
Ian, the adjunct professor, has been
connected with Harvard university.
-Four of the staff are women, who will
instruct students of Barnard and
Teachers colleges and the women grad
uate students of Columbia university
proper.
The scope of the work can best be
shown by the outline of single course,
Hygiene A" DR.. Meylan makes the
following announcement:
The aim of the course Is TO give the stu
dent instruction in the principles govern
ing the care OF the body, to the end that
the highest degree of mental and physical
efficiency may be obtained. The body will
be studied as an organism and as a ma
chine. The study will not be from the
standpoint OF anatomy or physiology.
Only broad outline of the structure and
functions of the body will be given, and
that only as g. basis for the application
Of hygiene. The course will include
full discussion OF the following topics:
Muscular activity, its uses. its aims, its
methods and the relative value OF the
various forms OF exercise, general and
speciali feeding. nutrItive value of vari-
olHs foods, relative value Of various bev-
erages the effects OF alcohol on the or
ganisIn, dheteries and the abuse of stirnp-
lautS and narcotics; aAeep and rest the
expenditure and recuperanoD 8 energy.
the general Regulation OF nervous activ-
ftyi bathing. fresh and ea2t water hG>th-
ing, sponge, sub. shows, douohe and
plunge hsthA thermal bahia the value
and danger of the morning cold bath;
clothing, heat rudiat ton, conservation Of
energy in the body, uses OF clothing for
protection and adoTnment; sanitary con-
eRitions Of the homo the stteS construction.
plumbing. heating and ventilation: the
adaptation OF man to the changed condI-
lions of his environment in the cities
during the last hundred years. the change
from outdoor to indoor life, the great
ly increased demand for nervous en-
ergy, with q corresponding decreased de-
mand for muscular enersyi the influence
of heredity, extent to which mental.
moral and physical characteristics are in
herited; the influence of climate the
organism, acclimation, organs most az
cd W different tFOTyfCal
temperate, dry, moist climates, fertile and
sterile soils, sea air and mountain air,
healthfuI and unhealthfui climates; pro-
tective measures against infectious dis
eases, the germ theory Of disease, COM
municabIe and contagious diseases. i'm
munity, serums. vaccination. boards of
health. duties of citizens concerning quar-
antine regulations, water and gas supply,
inspection of milk and foods
A course by Professor Wood Will
treat OF the physical organization OF
the child-laws of heredity, growth and
development, home conditions neces-
sary to the child's health, school en-
vironment, functions of the school
physician, prevention of disease and
deformity by hygienic surroundings,
healthful pastures and activities, adap-
tation of gymnasttc exercises to the
different grades and the regulation of
athletics.
Particular attention will be paid to
the correction of bodily failings of alb
normal and deficient children. A spe-
cial course In anthropometry has been
arranged for this purpose 1t will in
clude the recording Of personal and
family history, measuring and testing
the body, observation of organic con-
ditions and physical signs, tabulation
of statistics, use of graphic methods
for representing bodily conditions and
changes, individual prescription of ex-
ercise and hygtenic regimen, corrective
exercises for common deforrnities, such
as round shoulders and spinal curva-
ture; adaptation of movements for
functional disorders and special nerv
Gus conditions. Students Will have
practical experience in all Of the diff
ferent methods and procedures studied.
Twelve hours of instruction will be
offered each week. to undcrclassmen In
the classical and scientific schools of
Columbia university proper. Besides
class work In the university gymna-
stun, these students are given an OPP
portunity to learn, free of charge, the
elements of boxing, fencing, wrestling
and swimming. The medical director,
in addition, will hold office hours daily,
acting as a consultant and adviser to
any student seeking his services. Each
student will be entitled 10 physical
examination. on the basis of which
the general hygienic regimen and phys
zeal exercise best suited to his peculiar
needs will be prescribed.