The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-11-22
Good Health
Depends On
Correct Posture
mechanically Obstructs Circulation
'nserferes With Bodily Functions
and Work Of Digestive Tract.

AS public health organization the
American Posture League has two die
, tinct lines of work; it's educational
work is carried on by means of lee
> lures and the distribution of literature
ana lantern slides. The scientific and
constructive work, through origina re.
search and the standardization of
dhatomlc principles of articles of daily
use such as furniture and wearing an.
parel. which affect the posture of tho
human body. Through these means
more people are coming to value the
Importance of correct posture esnec.
laliy early in life, and the various
factors that play a part in attaining
this end.
The Department of Health If the
CITY OF New York, in it's latest issue
OF School Health News, publishes a
contribution from the league worthy
OF VIDE reading, which is synopsized
as follows:
| There would be fewer round shout.
dered children if many things in
school life did not help to make them
SO. 1t is not alone the appearance
that is involved, but in many csaes
habltual bad posture is closely related
to poor health and may even cause it.
To indicate what poor posture may
40 to interfere with the great bodily
functions, one has only to take a deem
breath in good posture and then in the
relaxed or fatigue position. The diff
ference in amount of air inspired is at
once apparent.
A similar mechanical obstruction is
placed by poor posture in the wav of
circulation and the work of the entire
digestive tract.
Many conditions and customs of
school life that induce bad postures
may be relieved by little care. Some
of these are listed here.
Give each child a seat that as near.
ly as possible allows the entire foot
to rest on the floor when the thigh
is horizontal. If the seat is too high
and can not be adjusted, get box for
a foot stool, or have the shop class
make one.
The desk surface should be an inch
or two higher than the elbow when
The arm is bent at right angles as
me child sits. 1t is injurious to both
eyes and posture to have the desk so
high that the upper arm is nearly
horizontal in writing or so low that
he child must crouch over it.
In sitting at attention do not allow I
he younger children to stretch the
'lasped hands forward on the desk: it
lraws the shoulders forward. Have
hem hold the hands on the edge of
he desk If near, or in the lap or at t
he sides, SO as to keep the upper arm /
its natural position at the side. i
Teach the children not to fold the I
rms behind the back (this throws 7
he spine, pelvis and shoulders out
t position), and not to clasp the
ands on the head or behind it (this
rags the head and neck forward).
Children should not read from
surface. He them hold or q
rop the book upon a slanting posi- q
on slightly below the level of the q
yes. r.
Drill the children to lean forward D
ON the hips mot from the waist) =
n writing.
Dispense with carrying of books s.
henever possible. If they must be
irried in the arms, divide the load, ~
it'll half on each arm. This will
correct the posture. o
Uuse the correct recitation position,
it'll one foot placed forward.