68 On Scientific Physical Training 
transferred to places wherein their habits could be watched, 
and what they did recorded from day to day ? 
There are hosts besides quite as “odd fishes” as those 
I have referred to, and if I have succeeded in inducing 
any of my younger readers, by thus administering a 
wholesomie stimulus to curiosity, to trace out the oddities 
of odd fishes for themselves, my aim is attained. 
ON SCIENTIFIC, PHYSICAL TRAINING Ame 
RATIONAL GYMNASTICS. 
BY M. ROTH, ESQ., M.D. 
FTER many years extensive practice in treating de- 
A formities, curvatures of the spine and limbs, I have 
come to the conclusion that it is only a sense of duty that. 
has induced me to draw the attention of the authorities of 
all public schools to the necessity of teaching physical 
training as well as the ordinary rudiments of learning. 
I say a sense of duty induced me because I wish to act 
according to a quotation froma French writer—a quotation 
which I have made use of frequently, namely :— 
It is the duty, the bounden duty, of whoever has an idea 
which he believes useful, to publish it for the common good. 
Whatever you know to be useful, and good to be known 
by every one, ¢#a¢ you cannot conscientiously keep to your- 
self. 
My Motto is—Prevention is better, easier, and cheaper 
than cure, and as scientific physical training includes the 
means for preserving health, I believe such training to be 
useful, and good to be known by every one; I will, there- 
fore, not further apologize for bringing before your notice 
a subject which is of some interest to everybody ; because 
I.am sure you will agree with me that there are many more 
agreeable ways of spending your money than for medical 
fees and for poor-rates, which last are always higher in pro- 
portion to the greater neglect of scientific physical training 
of the masses. ! 
_ The highest aim of medical science is prevention of disease, 
and my attention has been especially directed to this branch 
in consequence of the ailments of long standing, and of 
