1/2 ELEMENTS OF PHYSIOLOGY 



pattering of many feet, the clouds of chalk dust, accumu- 

 late until they become almost unbearable, and all that gets 

 out leaves the room on the clothes of the pupils, or on the 

 mucous membrane of their nasal passages, windpipes, and 

 lungs; for the janitor is more ignorant than the house- 

 keeper, and he likewise will not open the windows before 

 sweeping because of the trouble ; or, if persuaded to open 

 them, he must be compelled by the principal to allow them 

 to remain open for the dust to blow out, otherwise he 

 will close them on leaving each room to avoid the annoy- 

 ance of returning. 



290. These are the conditions of many, many school- 

 rooms and houses, for, unfortunately, some persons' knowl- 

 edge of physiology consists largely of a knowledge of big 

 names. It is not strange that lung troubles are rife, and 

 that people wonder whence they come, and take medi- 

 cated gases instead of pure air. Many of the Indians 

 of Patagonia died of consumption within nine months 

 after being taught by the missionaries to live in houses. 



291. It is necessary to give children knowledge of the 

 geography of Africa and other remote lands, but it is at 

 least as necessary to train them to sit and to stand 

 correctly. Interruptions to study every half hour by calis- 

 thenic exercises so selected as to give vigor to those 

 muscles that counteract the evil, deforming effects of pro- 

 longed sitting, would help them to grow up well-formed 

 men and women, and would aid in learning the geography 

 as well. 



292. The health of children at school often suffers, and 

 parents usually think it is because of the number of studies. 

 This idea is no doubt largely erroneous. The breathing of 

 the bad air, both at home and at school, the close confine- 

 ment in the schoolroom, sitting in a cramped position, 

 and studying by improper light, are the true causes in 

 a majority of cases. 



