SEARCHING FOR HEALTH

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 January 1931, Page 11

SEARCHING FOR HEALTH

EXERCISES IN SCHOOLS

WELFARE OF THE YOUNG

(By “Physical Culturist.”)

(All Rights Reserved.)

It is gratifying to this writer that at long last the authorities are prepa roil to put into effect the remedial exercises lie advocated and demonstrated so long ago as 1902. At that j period he was as one crying in the wilderness, for although lie proved beyond a doubt to the satisfaction of hundreds of school teachers and the medical profession the benefits to be derived by the school children from properly arranged corrective and preventive exercises, he failed to move those in power to bring the rational system then demonstrated into use—instead of which a costly compromised system was introduced which, although an advance on the old systems of gymI nasties in schools, lias admittedly | failed in its purpose, or why the al- ) teration of the systems taught in Auckland schools, which are only now obtaining results equal to those in the Wanganui experiments of 1902-4-5. As shown by a recent Press report beaded “Importance of Physical Culture,’' increased attention to the physical welfare of the hoys at the Auckland Grammar School had resulted in a marked advance in that phase of the work at the school, stated the headmaster, Mr H. J. D. Malion, at the prize-giving ceremony. “Upon examination,” he said, “it was found that about 80 boys were not only far below the weight for age and height, j but also had defects of posture—flat chests, flat feet, round shoulders, exaggerated curves of the back and, in a few cases, -spinal curvature. Remedial exercises and games were instituted, and subsequent tests revealed a marked improvement and, in many cases, the complete elimination

of serious physical abnormalities. Under this organisation the most interesting squad in the gymnasium now consists of the cripple and the infantile paralysis cases.”

At the risk of being considered egotistical this writer would point out that practically the same results recently obtained at the Auckland Grammar School and lauded as an example of what may be achieved when intelligently applied were successfully demonstrated by this writer under the auspices of the Wanganui Education Board as long ago a.s 28 years, which statement may be verified by referring to the “Wanganui Chronicle” of June 21, 1902, and again from the same paper of March 15, 1907, which only proves the educational authorities have been slow to realise the great value of properly directed exercise.

I have earlier referred to the compromised system introduced, and may further state from time to time I have seen marked reference to outstanding instances of chest expansion of 4J inches as due to the system being taught in the schools. As the system introduced by the late Royd Garlick was supposed to be based on breathing exercises air expansion of 4 inches should be far from uncommon. In fact, this writer is of opinion the average expansion of 14-year-old boys should be not less than 3-J- inches, judging by results obtained in one class of 12 boys at Wanganui who were trained by the writer for a period of three months only, the measurements being taken by

the late Dr. Hatherly and checked by witnesses. Of the 12 boys only one measured less than 3£ inches, viz.,

2;’in ; of the remainder three had 31, one 3§, one 3sd, one 4in, two 4%, one and two had 6in, these two boys being 13 years 1 month and 13 years. 9 months old respectively. The youngest boy of the dozen was 11 years ll months and the eldest 14 years 9 months. All hut three of the boys were under the age of 14 years. So much for chest expansion. In addition to this compressed chests were brought hack to normal, lateral curvatures wore straightened out, flat chests, round shoulders and exaggerated curves of the hack were corrected. And this before the teachers had the assistance of the medical examiners and dental advice. However, better late than never and it is to lie hop.j?d that now more teachers have demonstrated the great benefit to he derived from properly directed corrective and preventive exercises. The Education Department may take the subject up in earnest for the greater good to the greater number. It was on March 14, 1907, that an article apneared in Hie “Wanganui Chronicle” under the name of “Benefactor” in eulogy of my voluntary work' with the Wanganui Education Board. He wrote: “It is to he hoped that the time is not now far distant when the reform for which he has so strenuously laboured will receive official approval.” However, it has remained for the teachers in the Auckland Grammar School in the year 1930 to convince the responsible authorities that this writer was right in 1902. There are many men, and women too, who are doomed to no through life burdened with an affliction which need not have been if attention had been paid to it during school life. It is during childhood and youthful days, when the hones are more or less plastic and pliable, that they are amenable to suitably arranged exercises. For example, a lateral .curvature mav he completely straightened in less than three months, when if the same exercises are continued the curvature will he'carried iust as far to the other side. Once the spine is brought to the normal position the special exercises should be discontinued and attention given to balanced exercises to strengthen the muscular system on either side. Still further, the children should he encouraged to continue with systematic exercises even after leaving school, for then to a great extent they are thrown upon their own responsibility, when the first .few years will decide their future prospect in life. Probably Nixon Waterman had this in mind when he wrote: 1 am the sculptor: I myself, the claw Of which F am to fashion, as T will. Fn deed and desire, dav by da'v. The pattern of my purpose, good or ill.

While Iho Auckland Grammar School has hoen doing groat work, an almost incredible story comes from Australia. A student. T\ T. TTnl stead. n Svrlnov Church of' Thigland Grammar School ronth. in 102 G. at the 11™ of IA. had tkp misfortune to break his hack. One nmhf while walking in his slccn he fell through a window on to the na'-r----j moot An examination revealed he lmd fraetnred a vertebrae of the sm'ne and for months lie lay in nlaster Nd dpsnai'inrr In flung heart soul and i lmdv into il*i= struggle against forced 1 innctii’itv. fighting with s<niejsm and . ' ''nndeliee His uouthflllness and p e"iuer .athletic 'activities which b"d ; lain iin !i store of ;stren<rth an<l lioa 11 • • to o.uinhnt inii”‘v. assisted him to .make an amazing recovery. Onlv ° 1 few years ago such a recovery would

have been looked on as impossible; it was the dream of a few physical calturists, backed up by a few only of the more advanced medical authorities. However, such isolated cases as that of T. T. Halstead have proved that even a very serious injury is amenable Ito rational methods. II only the injured one will not despair lint- wholeheartedly co-operate with qualified supervisors, it is never too late to mend. The lad in question was one of the “never say die” order, who toward the end or 1927 had taken up c ricket again. Next year lie was talcing a foremost part in school athletics and the year following lie was testing himself out at football, and to-day he is captain of the school (or senior prefect), captain of cricket, football and athletics, and a sixth form scholar. So well has he done in the cricket world, according to that reliable Sydney paper, the “Referee.” that this voar lie has been selected as captain of the G.P.S. eleven to play a New South Wales team. Much more could be written concerning the athletic feats of this young Australian, h«t sufficient has been written to prove that while there is life there is hope. And the mainspring is will power.