The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-06
Among the Books
"Educntion In Sexual Physiology ana
Hygiene, "a .Physic.nn'n Mcnnnreu

HsRiene, "a tPhy,icsnn'x Measuge.,
BY Philip Hcnner. NJ. D.. professor OF
Neurology in Medical Department
University Of Cincinnati. Pp. I2s. Tho
Robert Clarke Company. Cincinnati.
This little volume is ono or srcat
value. Is purpose is the prevention
OF disease that very gravcly affects the
lite Of man and the welfare of SO
cioiy. Physicians and teachers, who
have 10 deal with groups or children
IN their adolescent period. realize more
fuily than the parents themselves tho
dangers that surround thosc children.
ana 10 which unfortunately too many
succunb. The pathetic aSpec. Of it is;
al the deeper Tor the reason that these
dangers arc tho outcome Of an iEno-
rance easily removable. if only the
riSht steps arc taken. 4 sense or
false nodesty Keeps the r,outha OF
many parents shut, when little plain.
frank speech would prove % incalcu-
liable help. both morally and phyui-
taliy, in tho development OF the Guild.
and possibly save it lifelong misery.
Keen as We are for education In
general. we arc singulariy reticent in
the discussion OF that branch OF knowl-
edge that is very essential TO the
moral and physical health of our chit
some instinct. as the author says, that
breads this teaching unless il be prop
erly done. But there is no reason
Why II should not he properly done
The book Is the result or an expert
nent. Dr. Zenncr mad been asked by
superintendent. OF n public school
III Cincinnati to give several talks TO
the children along lines that would
no Of moral ana physical bencfit to
l,pt u -,
consented 20 do so lie gave four
talks, three to the boys and girls to-
yetiier and one TO the boys alone
THESE talks were on Hygiene "iiab-
it, ''Alcohol" and Tile Origin OF
Life the last named to the boys alone
y lady physician spoke along similar
lines to the girls alone. The school in
question was in a poor district Of the
city where white and black lived to-
gcther. and where the presence of fac
tory and saloon. as well as family en-
vironment. did not appear the most
favorable.
The result Of the talks TO both boys
and girls. was gratifying. They We're,
first, pnrer atmosphere, no more
furtive smiles or secret messages or
ciquing, to arouse and crafty Tor
hidden curiosity. but frank counte-
nances and open ways. There was no
curiosity. BECAUSE the natural desire
for knowledge had been rightly salts
fed. Among the boys a change Of
spirit was manifest in their refusing
to associate with a new pupil who tried
TO circulate some improper literature.
\ number OF parents came TO the
school to express their thanks Cor what
had been done for their children.
The first part Of the book contains
these four talks given 10 the boys
There are added chapters Of talks to
college boys on Sexual Physiology
and the social Disease and. its Pre-
vcntion," together with "a word 10 the
teacher and on the mode or tea ching.
The book deals With teaching in
schools and colleges. But it. has its
message no less for fathers and moth
crs. Itis by no means a book OF hor-
rors. nor. of technical phra.seoloEy. 1t
deals In simple, straightforward and
frank manner with one OF the weight
les, matters Of our life, that has been
too long neglected through a mis-
taken notion of modesty. Much evil
and misery have been the fruitagc of
this neglect. This book points q way
to remedy IL. II contains valuable
information, and excellent guidance,
couched in language simple enough for
the unlearncd, yet withai in excellent
and readable style. 1t should be in
the hands Of parents and teachers.
e. y. G.