xvii CARE AND TRAINING OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 241 



165. Education. Education means the proper exer- 

 cise of all the parts of the brain so as to bring about a 

 symmetrical development of the various brain centers. 

 One of the chief reasons why we study so many differ- 

 ent branches in the schools is to exercise and develop 

 the whole brain. This trains the intellect, the emotions, 

 and the will, and develops character. 



In early life all the senses should be properly and 

 adequately exercised, and the larger muscles brought 

 under the control of the will. The exercises of the 

 kindergarten and the primary school are designed to 

 train and develop the sensory areas of the brain, and to 

 bring into relation with them the motor centers of the 

 hands and feet. Nature herself has surrounded us 

 with things beautiful and interesting, as the birds and 

 butterflies, the flowers and trees, the rocks and streams, 

 the clouds and stars, which are among the most valua- 

 ble means of training the senses through close and 

 accurate observation. Literature is full of references 

 to objects in nature, and so may be useful in training 

 the imagination if the reader will take the time to recall 

 and picture each object mentioned. Manual training 

 is the best possible means of exercising the motor areas 

 of the brain. 



Youth is the time when strong and lasting interests 

 should be cultivated in the many things concerning 

 man and nature about us ; for as we grow older our 

 interests must become more and more limited in their 

 range until they are confined to our business or pro- 

 fession. The business man usually has little time or 



