796 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION I. 
nearer the equator, amongst children enervated by the higher, more 
depressing, temperature of a longer continued summer ? 
I have had many little patients every year suffering from enlarged 
flabby tonsils, loss of appetite, sleeplessness and constipation — all 
traceable to undue pressure upon anaemic subjects. Without hesitancy 
I say that early deaths and broken constitutions will result from the 
Christmas examinations. I am reminded of Mr. Diggle, of whom we 
have heard, recently more than ever, in his struggle for ascendancy in 
the London School Board. Addressing some little boys and girls — 
good, bad, and indifferent — he quoted the inspiriting example of a 
model scholar. First he won an exhibition, then he went on to the 
City of London School, where he picked up prizes as easily as other 
boys learn slang. Presently he won an open scholarship, and came 
out in the first class. Finally he was made a fellow of his college — 
finally? No, the end was that his health broke down, and he died 
as the good boy does. There is a moral here for parents to draw ; 
youngsters who refuse to be overworked can draw it for themselves. 
And now for the unfortunate females who become pupil-teachers ; 
let us see how their day is spent. Of course you know that these 
young pupils are themselves taught, and have to prepare for periodical 
examinations, the subjects that are laid down in Schedule VII. of the 
Regulations. One hour and a-half of each day must be devoted by the 
head teacher to their instruction; of this time not less than half must 
be before the regular school hours in the morning, and no part must 
be during the midday recess. Let us assume that one-half of this time 
is taken in the morning, the other in the evening. The girls must 
be at school by 8, therefore they start the day by 7 o’clock. They 
must teach during the ordinary school hours, and do such other work 
as the head teacher, subject to' the Regulations, may require ; they are 
not allowed to leave the school for clinuer, but have to occupy them- 
selves in this time examining and correcting children’s exercises. The 
second half of their instruction by the head teacher retains them till 
5 p.m., then to home ; it may be a long distance. After tea come 
lessons, sometimes till 10. Portions of Saturdays and Sundays are 
often encroached upon to make up lost time in some of the numerous 
subjects required of them. If they get up sharp at 7 only, and go 
to bed promptly at 10, they have fifteen hours of a working day, 
except the intervals for breakfast and tea. Whit a breakfast they 
surely eat, poor girls ! and how* they must enjoy their teas ! But do 
you think the weary brain gets healthy rest during the hours they lie 
In bed ? No ! Our foster nurse of Nature is repose, the which she 
lacks.” AVith nervous system unrelieved of its auxiety, and muscles 
still fatigued, the morning calls them to another day’s routine of toil. 
Previously I have mentioned that tropical residence increases the 
physiological monthly change in women — it commences earlier. From 
observations it is concluded that European girls born in the tropics 
menstruate about one year sooner than girls of English birth and 
rearing. All haemorrhages diminish the number of red corpuscles, those 
little bodies I referred to as carriers of oxygen in the blood. In the 
haemorrhage X am now discussing, a moderate loss of red corpuscles is 
replaced within twenty-eight days ; but we must have favourable con- 
ditions for this desirable recovery. Now, what life could be mora 
unfavourable than the one wdiich these girls are forced to lead? 
