PHYSICAL TRAINING IN THE COLLEGES. 625 



janitors, for the heating and ventilating plants, fuel, etc. The 

 whole building is heated by hot water or steam. The apparatus in 

 the main hall is partly portable, including wooden and iron dumb- 

 bells, Indian clubs, and wands; there are pulley weights, arranged 

 to exercise all the principal groups of muscles, and adjustable to suit 

 all grades of strength; fixed or " heavy " apparatus, comprising such 

 forms as the horizontal bar, parallel bars, ladders, ropes, poles, swing- 

 ing rings, the horse and buck for vaulting; and provision is also made 

 for a variety of simple throwing and running games. 



Before the student enters the gymnasium he is generally called 

 upon to submit to a physical examination. In some schools this is re- 

 quired of every student, whether he goes to the gymnasium or not; 

 in others it is optional for all, or confined to those in actual attend- 

 ance. Its extent and thoroughness vary with the training and char- 

 acter of the examiner and the time at his disposal; but there is a 

 general uniformity of method throughout the country. The most 

 complete form includes (1) a record of certain facts of family and 

 personal history which may explain abnormal conditions, if these are 

 present, and direct attention to probable tendencies. Among such 

 facts are the nationality and longevity of grandparents and parents, 

 the environment and health of parents, the father's occupation, dis- 

 eases common in the family or thought to be hereditary, personal 

 injuries and diseases, habits regarding physical and mental work 

 and recreation, sleep, life in the open air, the use of stimulants and 

 narcotics; (2) a systematic inspection of the whole body, recording 

 such points as apparent temperament, general muscular development 

 and condition, the position of head and shoulders, deviations from the 

 normal curvature of the spinal column, shape and mobility of the 

 chest, proportionate development of various groups of muscles, and 

 abnormalities of whatever sort; (3) a medical examination of the heart 

 and lungs; (4) a series of about fifty measurements of weight, height, 

 various lengths, breadths, and depths, the girths of trunk and limbs 

 at different levels, followed by tests of lung capacity, and of the 

 strength of large muscular masses — for example those of the chest r 

 back, front of thighs, upper arms, and forearms. 



In many instances, and especially where the director is without 

 medical training, the examination is much less complete, and covers 

 little more than a few facts of history and a series of measurements 

 and tests. These may be of value as a means of interesting the 

 student in his own development and furnishing data for future com- 

 parison, but by themselves they are almost worthless as an index of 

 physical health and proficiency, or as a ground for special instruc- 

 tions. They need to be supplemented and explained by inspection, 

 and by other means of examination and diagnosis. But if the work 



VOL. LII.— 45 



