The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-25
SENSE IN EDucAr1oN.


SENSE IN EDUCATION.
Common sense in education is an
idea which has grown so rapidly in re-
cent years and has taken such a firm
hold on the popular mind that it is not
perhaps too much to hope that the day
is not far distant when common and
high school graduates will leave the
school room as thoroughly equipped
for the battle of life" as the commence
ment address has always presumed
them to be. Practical information on
useful subjects may take the place of
mere text book knowledge and children
may be taught to think as we'll as to
study and to do things as well as to
dream them.
Among other branches of the common
school education which offer a field for
reform is the science of physiology. This
study was introduced at an early stage
of the child's development some years
ago largely with the expectation of
making it an active force in temperance
reform. but it really seems as though
in his zeal to impress upon the boys the
dangers of the use of tobacco and in
toxicants other important details of the
science have been overlooked. Ply
sicians say that the average man and
woman, even of the so-called educated
classes. are woefully ignorant about
their own bodies and the preservation
Of their health. Any public accident,
any case of heat prostration, artery
flow, bather beyond his depth, or similar
occurrence reveals the helplessness and
ignorance of the majority of people in
such an instance. How few people there
are who in case of accident know what
to do till the doctor comes.' who under
stand their own physical organization
sufficiently to diagnose their simple all
ments and prescribe a harmless, nat
ural remedy. Almost every one feeling
slightly indisposed rushes off to the doc
tor or druggist for a prescription. The
trivial illnesses which the average
healthy person experiences call for moth
ing but simple remedies and common
sense. A knowledge of physiology and
hygiene, and ordinary rules of diet and
exercise, such as should be a part of the
education of every school boy and girl
are all that are necessary to keep the
majority of persons in good health.
1t is not strictly essential that high
school girl should know how many
bones there are in her body and she will
probably enjoy years of happiness and
health after she has forgotten the
names of the muscles but these are the
things upon which most stress is laid
in physiology as taught in the average
school while more important facts are
ignored No common school text book
on physiology recognizes the peculiar
organism of woman or teaches the girl
student any of the momentous facts
about her physical life. ignorance of
which cause according to the testimony
of physicians many of the ills and suf-
ferings of her sex It can not be Justly
claimed that girls should be taught
these things at home for popular educa-
ton is nowadays believed to be intend
ed to take the place of home training
for those who would otherwise be de-
prived of it, We are now coming to see
that the state owes duty to the child
as well as the parent, and that the de-
of the latter makes the obliga-
ton of the former all the stronger. We
have come to a common sense view of
the matter which makes it evident that
girls who are not taught at home to
cook and sew and boys whose parents |
do not require them to learn useful
trade should not be condemned to suf- !
fer for the ignorance or indifference of
their families.
1t is a fact that many suicides would |
be averted by a more general knowledge |
Of the physiology of despair. The teach |
err should not neglect to impress upon !
the pupil the supreme Importance of a |
good liver and the simple means by |
which this organ can be kept in |
healthful condition. What the average
person contemplating suicide needs is
liver pill. The close relation between |
physical and mental health now so gen.
orally acknowledged by physicians /
should be taught the Young Person, |
prone to encouragement and melan- |
choly. A good liver changes the whole |
of life. II Thomas Carlyle !
had not suffered with chronic dyspepsia /
the entire temper of his genius might |
have been changed. Ignorance causes
and half the other ills of life |
and they in their turn cause unhappy |
marriages, quarrelsome families, di-
vorces and tragedies generally.