Lecture on Physical Culture.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 14, 2 August 1905, Page 2

Lecture on Physical Culture.

At the invitation of the Otautau Y.W.8.C., Dr. Helen, Baird, of Invercargill, delivered a lecture to the members on Wednesday, the 26th inst, when a very fair number of the class were present. Dr. Baird succeeded m hoMing the attention of lur- . hearers throughout the evening, and made her subject, " Physical Culture," very interesting and instructive, and devoid of dry technicalities. Physical Culture was defined as the art of attaining bodily health and vigor combined with grace of form. The im- . portance of perfect physical development m relation to the individual and the race was dealt upon, and the Greeks quoted as an' instance among the ancients of the perfection to which physical oulture -was carried m the early history af our race\ The Japanese were re.erred to as affording a similar instance m our own timo, and their methods of exercise, aid oleaauuegs spoken of with approval by the lecturer. Dr. Baird advocated extreme care m the selection of sites for building houses, accessible to plenty of fresh air andsunshine, the latter being one of the/ most important elements m buildi; g up a healthy body And maintaing it m ' a healthy state. Ample fresh air m sleeping rooms, by leaving windows open from the top, was also reooiu- ■' mended. "Regularity and moderationin taking food also had an important^ bearing on health. Exercise shotildbe taken systematically and not m: spasmodic spurts. Cycling, tennis and walking were three of the best forms" of exercise, walking" receiving speoial commendation, while tennis was ' sighted as an exercise m which ladies ■ could become especially proficient, and while affording v great deal of pleasure, was m.ist healthy and a good physical developer. Dr. Baird was not what - is known as a reformed dress advocate, hut strongly recommended wearing - apparel conducive to health and the free action of the body, while at the same time lending such compliance with the demands of fashion as there was ample room for m modern dress, system of physical oultnre was mentioned; with approval, and members recommended to obtain bis' book aud stiuly -same. At the end of the lecture questions were invited * from members, and courteously ' answered by Dr. Baird. Several mnaical items were rendered by members of the class during the evening' and a hearty, vote of thanks tendered to the doctor for her kindness m delivering the lecture. ■ •