The Ordway new era., 1922-02-03
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English opponents to athletics for
girls" says DIR. NIacCracken, "is about
as logical as urging young man not
to deplete his mental energies by
studying during the year, but to keep
them intact for the great crisis of
examinations"
DIR, MacCracken Is supported In his
opinion by DIR. Elizabeth B. Thelberg,
resident physician at Nassar for thir-
ty-four years, and Miss Frances Bal
lentine, head of the department of
physical education, who has directed
the athletics of the college for twen-
ty-seven years. Nothing in their exper-
ience has ever led them to believe that
athletics are injurious to women, but
then the system at Vassar takes Into
account the fact that some girls are
weaker and should, therefore, be less
strenuous than others. This fact, now
ever. is borne in mind in most institu-
tions providing physical training.
"yassar presents living proof OF our
system in the daughters and grand
daughters of physically trained wom-
en-" continues DR.. MacCracken. III
acquired traits We're hereditary we
might suppose that some of the eiris
playing on our present teams ihherlted
their skill in basketball and hockey,
along with their splendid physique,
from their athletic mothers, while the
sturdy babies of recent graduates
would argue irrefutably that the In
creased range of athletics In the iast
twenty years or so continues pehe-
fetal.
.The English girl is physically a
harder type to deal with than the
American. The popular idea or the
English feminine type is based on the
drawings of Du Maurier; tall, slight
and fair. In fact, the willowy Maudes
of England are far Outnumbered by
short, heavy girls, who look almost
squat to American eyes. They are
especially numerous in the manufac-
turing towns. This type is apt to
develop large, bunchy muscles. which
become fiabby and degenerate unless
they are constantly exercised. This is
bad thing, just as overdevelopment
of any part of the body is bad"
"The other day I saw fifty high
school girls playing medicine ball.
saws DR.. r. S. Copeland, commissioner
of health of New York City. ut was
sight to draw tears from the eyes OF
crave digger, but one to put JOY
in the hearts of all lovers OF heaith
and youthful vigor.
81 was glad to see this group OF wise
vounp women. Their presence on the
n,averound gave me confidence IN
their own good sense and the rore'
sight of the school authorlties. "A
school without hours for recreation
and without the provision of the
means for attractive sports Is falling
short of its duty to the student. 1t
isn't enough to train the mind. The
hand and eye must be taught by
sbonwork or needlework. The body
must be developed by sturdy exercise
and out-of-door activities.
"Skating, skiing, snow-shoeing, cross
country runs, hare and hounds, sliding
down hill, baseball, football and open
air medicine ball are wonderful sports
for the young. They are properly en-
couraged by school authorities.
"AlI work and no play makes JACK
a dull boy. and makes jill pale and
: bloodless miss.
~ hope every girl and boy in every
.lbiph school will not consider 1t too un'
dienified to run and jump. to push
!. and crowd, to laugh and yell, to have
her or his full part in some sort OF
out-of-door physical contest or activity
The medicine BALI used II. this way
i is exactly what 1t is named. 1t Is