230 EXCESSIVE EXERCISE OF THE BRAIN. 



To remedy these evils, and introduce a better 

 system of training, so as to make bodily health and 

 mental and rational cultivation go hand in hand, an 

 establishment called the Manual Labour Academy 

 was opened near Philadelphia in 1829, and has 

 already proved the soundness of its principles by 

 the success of its results. The usual branches of 

 study in classical schools, with the addition of the 

 Bible, are pursued; and "the hours of recreation 

 are employed in useful bodily labour, such as will 

 exercise their skill, make them dexterous, establish 

 their health and strength, enable each to defray his 

 own expenses, and fit him for the vicissitudes 

 of life." From this systematic union of bodily 

 labour in gardening, farming, carpentry, and other 

 work, with the usual academic studies, many 

 comforts are said to have arisen. The health of 

 the inmates has been uninterrupted, except in a 

 few who were ill when received ; and, at the 

 date of the report, in 1830, "every invalid remaining 

 there had been restored to health" Young men thus 

 trained to practical obedience to the organic laws 

 are much less likely to run into excess in after-life, 

 than those who have been left in ignorance of the 

 constitution of their own bodies. " When thought shall 

 need no brain" the report continues, " and nearly 

 four hundred organs of motion shall cease to constitute 

 the principal portion of the human body, then may the 

 student dispense with muscular exertion ;" but, till then, 

 let him beware what he does, arid look to the laws 

 which the Creator has established for his guidance, 

 and seek his happiness, not in denying their exist- 

 ence, but in yielding them willing and cheerful obe- 

 dience. 



In early and middle life, fever, with an unusual 

 degree of cerebral disorder, is a common conse- 

 quence of the excessive and continued excitement 

 of the brain, which is brought on by severe study, 

 unremitting mental exertion, anxiety, and watching. 



