The Well-Ordered Household 



FROM THE STANDPOINT OF A PRACTICAL WOMAN 

 CONDUCTET) BY MAKTHA FAN RENSSELAER 



Editor Cornell University Eeading Course for Women. 



PHYSICAL E DUG ATI OX IX HOUSEWOEK 



PHYSICAL education for the society snfficientlv to have the mind uplifted and 

 woman and for the professional to feel ver}^ much exuberance after a few 

 woman are constantly recommended, hours of steady household toil. The state 

 Girls in school are given a course of train- of mind, while it influences to a large 

 ing for poise and the development of degree, still is not all that accounts for 

 muscle. The athleti^! girl exercises to the difference between the effect of golf 

 increase her strength and muscle, but the and of washing clothes. A good many 



women, however, are happy over the wash- 

 lub and the dishpan. 



In housework the chief difficulty with 

 many workers is the wrong use of the 

 muscles, and bringing the strain upon the 

 back instead of upon the muscles of the 

 limbs, which are well able to endure it. 

 Then unless special training is taken ex- 

 ercise in housework is given only to cer- 

 Tjiin sets of muscles, and others are left 

 disused and become weakened. 



Should we suggest a course in physical 

 training for the busy housewife, I imagine 

 she might say, "With so much work to do, 

 I have no time nor strength for physical 

 culture. My bones now ache from exer- 

 cise.^^ Still, we would urge that study 

 be given to learn to use the muscles cor- 

 rectly that they may gain in strength and 

 endurance. 



Health, grace, poise, and strength are 

 as helpful to the housekeeper as to any 

 one else. Her hours for exercise may be 

 from sunrise to sunset, but does she know 

 whetlier she is using her muscles cor- 

 housekeeper exercises because she has so rectly? The proper poise is as attractive 

 much work to do, and without thought of in the woman in the kitchen as in the 

 gaining strength thereby. She expects drawing-room reception. The proper use 

 just so much weariness for the amount of of muscles to relieve strain upon the back 

 routine physical labor she is doing. What is as valuable in the miles of travel in 

 is the difference between the exhaustion the kitchen as on Broadway. The proper 

 which comes from wielding the broom and and most beneficial way of breathing is 

 that which follows an energetic game of just as good over the milk-cans on a back 

 golf? Few persons enjoy sweeping and porch as an^^where else. Women must per- 

 the other difficult parts of housekeeping force stand for a great deal of their work^ 



