1008 METHODS OF IMPROVING THE 



believe, that a proper system of physical educa- 

 tion would, in nearly all cases, prevent that 

 imperfection of the thoracic organs which lays 

 the foundation of phthisis, asthma, scrofula, and 

 many other diseases which become hereditary, 

 and embitter while they shorten life. The great 

 secret of such an education is to give full scope 

 to the instinctive love of exercise in the open air, 

 so natural to children and all young animals. 

 Is the chest narrow or flat in infancy ? It may 

 be greatly expanded and improved by frequent 

 singing, reading aloud, dancing, playing at shut- 

 tlecock, the graces, and other agreeable pastimes, 

 or when there is sufficient strength, by fencing 

 and other manly exercises. Are the superior and 

 frontal portions of the brain imperfectly deve- 

 loped, compared with the lateral and posterior 

 divisions ? The former may be greatly improved 

 by moderate exercise of the intellectual and moral 

 faculties, for the same reason that the magnitude 

 and power of any organ are augmented by action. 

 And if the whole brain be unduly developed in 

 early life, it should be exercised less than the 

 lungs and muscles. 



Thus it is manifest that, to a very great extent, 

 we can modify these unbalanced conditions of 

 the body which predispose to disease, immorality, 

 crime, and suffering. But mankind have been 

 so long in the habit of violating the laws of health, 

 by intemperance in diet, the use of intoxicating 



