The Higher Sphere of Sanitary Science. on the same footing with the other professors. At present there are said to be "over fifty large institutions in our country that have adopted some regular system of physical culture, or are making preparations for the same." The dominant idea in this movement is not the cultivation of athletics in the current acceptation of that term, which is a disproportionate development of the muscular system, and quite commonly of only a special part of that, but in the symmetrical development of the whole body in harmony with a parallel development of the mind. The motto of the movement is "Mens sana in corpore sano." While, as in the splendid Pratt Gymnasium at Amherst, all forms of gymnastic apparatus are commonly provided for the free use of the student, the emphasis is laid not upon the use of" heavy apparatus," so-called, but upon light gymnastics, practiced regularly by classes, light wooden dumb-bells and wands for example, used in such a manner as to bring every part of the body into free play. In connection with the exercises at Am. herst, an elaborate record of vital statistics has been kept by Dr. Hitchcock for many years. "Upon the admission of every new class to college, each student submits to some sixty different measurements of his body and its parts, such as weight, height, lung capacity, girth of chest, arm, etc., and an exact record of these measurements is kept. These examinations are repeated every year, and since they commenced, over twenty-five hundred different students have been thus measured." On the basis of these and similar tables it becomes possible to construct an ideal standard, and to detect the location of the defects by observation of the point and amount of departure from the standard, and the weak point being thus ascertained, it may be, as a matter of fact often is, possible to strengthen it by proper exercises. Gratifying results have already been attained along this line in some of our institutions, and the field in this particular direction bids fair to be extensively and faithfully cultivated. The Higher Sphere of Sanitary Science. The work thus far done by the institutions referred to has brought and is bringing to public notice the fact that the possession of a fine healthy physique is not a matter of hap. hazard, but is the result of assignable causes, which causes are measurably within human control. A course of instruction in one of them does not undermine the health, but positively improves it. The erect carriage, elastic step and healthy complexion of the students at Amherst, have been frequently the subject of remark, and Dr. Nathan Allen, in his new book on Physical Development, testifies that " from an experience of fifty years with the college, and an attendance upon many commencements, we can testify that there has been a marked improvement in the countenance and physique of students." Sanitary Science is indeed teaching us that the body as well as the mind is a subject for a systematic process of development. The mind, as a matter of fact would get a not inconsiderable amount of development were no attention given to its education. Children learn before they go to school, and they would continue to learn were they never to open a book. But the mental development thus attained would be pitiful indeed as compared with what we are accustomed to see as the result of a systematic training. So the body will grow and develop after a fashion, though no attention other than that compelled by disease and pain be bestowed on it, but in like manner the average physical development thus attained falls far below the standard of symmetry and strength that may be reached by means of systematic and scientific training. Only a beginning has been made in this large work of Sanitary Science, and that chiefly in the institutions to which reference has been just had. In the community at large the work of sanitation is of necessity confined chiefly to the prevention of disease. But the students dealt with and trained are annually carrying out into the community advanced ideas in regard to physical culture, and the slow The Higher Sphere of Sanitary Science. but sure spread of these ideas, acting together with the practical application of the scientific truths established by the investigations of Boards of Health, all suggesting the possibility of considerable improvement in the general physical standard, will yet bring about great results, not the least of which will be the cordial and general co-operation of the community with the efforts of the Sanitarian for the uplifting of the race. With many persons the highest conception of health is that of freedom from disease and pain; but health is really and literally wholeness: it is the full, symmetrical and harmonious development of the body. It is a delight in itself, and if not necessary to them, it greatly increases all other, and even the higher delights. Sanitary Science seeks not only to tear down the base fabric of disease with one hand, but also to build up with the other the fair temple of health; and this constructive work runs up into the ranges of the cultivation of the mind as well as of the body. The great instrument in the positive work of development is exercise, but exercise to be of the greatest benefit, must bring into play all the powers and not merely one set or system of them. Nerve as well as muscle needs exercise, mind as well as body Says a recent medical writer: "Study or mental exercise, when properly pursued, is productive of health. A certain kind and amount of exercise of the brain has a salutary influence upon all other parts of the body." But we may go further, and claim for Sanitary Science an alliance with religion itself; a right heart as well as a sound mind is conduc. ive to physicial health; a clear conscience as well as a good digestion invokes "Tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy. sleep," and the law of God is the ultimate law of health. On the other hand, education and religion are in a measure dependent upon Hygiene. It used to be thought that a sallow complexion and a bent form were honorable marks of a student, and cadaverousness was considered essential The Higher Sphere of Sanitary Science. to the highest type of piety. But we are learning that a man may be a more profound scholar for having an erect carriage and a well compacted physique, and that healthfulness is actually promotive of holiness, so closely related and inter-dependent are these three noble lines of effort for the elevation of our race. Sanitation, Education and Religion are indeed companions and co laborers in the one grand work of developing and training the entire man, body, mind and soul, repairing the ravages whether of disease or of sin, and bringing the entire nature of man into conformity with that divine ideal characterized in the Bible as the image of God. A WORD ABOUT SCHOOL SANITATION. BY PROF. I. N. STEWART, OF APPLETON. From 250 to 300 new school-houses are erected in Wisconsin every year. The duration of the older houses has been about twenty years. The life of the later ones will probably be near double that time. Are we as a people doing what we ought to make these houses suitable for their work? While much has been written on the subject of School Sanitation, it is fragmentary, often in purely medical literature, and not accessible to the greater number of those who have to do with the construction of the new buildings, the boards and people of the country districts. It is only recently that architects have given special attention to school-houses. Sup't. Whitford, in his last report, furnished some well considered plans and specifications for school-houses; but that report has left but little impress in the buildings since erected, and is itself now hard to obtain, the copies having too often gone the way of other official reports. It is doubtful if one school officer in twenty-five of those now fn authority, ever heard of it. The State Board of Health has done good work in thisline, more and better work than that of any other state. In fact, it led out in the direction of school sanitation, and other state boards are following. Yet it is hard to tell what permanent impress has been left in the school architecture of the state. It has, however, reached many teachers, as I have found in my institute work; and through them it is silently having its effects in the repairs and surroundings. of many country districts. Two things are to be hoped for in the near future, some measures looking toward a more thorough supervision of schools, school buildings and school officers, and others toward the instruction of teachers and school officers in sani |