Henry Baird Favill, AB, MD, LL.D., 1860-1916, a ... - University Library

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MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 311
There are certain defects, however, which it is worth
while to touch upon. Perhaps chief of these is the question
of fresh air. No problem of the school-room is more difficult
to solve under existing conditions. None is more
crucial. I cannot take your time to go into that in detail.
I must ask you to fill in the things I have left unsaid; but
this I wish to say: the child should be educated to an
abundance of fresh, cool air, fresher than it is accustomed
to, cooler than is perhaps comfortable at first.
a process of hardening, why not
If involving
Please believe that I realize the difficulties in this suggestion.
Obstruction, complaint, and criticism are inevitable.
School architects and school authorities have not
crossed the threshold of this proposition. No matter what
the difficulties, it is an absolute necessity that this question
be met. It will pay many fold, not only in health, but in
educational results.
Let us take another question — that of physical activities.
I wish to take unequivocally the position that competitive
athletics, under the conditions prevailing at present,
are a serious bar to
general physical development, whether
in themselves objectionable depending upon circumstances.
At present they usurp and monopolize the field of physical
development to the extent of limiting participation to those
who have signal ability. They concentrate interest upon
competitive success and not at all upon intrinsic physical
superiority.
From the primary grade to the end of the college
course this criticism is progressively just. Until athletics
(so-called) can be put in their proper position of exceptional
demonstration functions, they will continue to be a seriously
pernicious factor in this educational field.
Even.'' child should be trained pM^sically to its best
point, and no influence which stifles interest and cripples
effort by establishing impossible standards can be permitted
to dominate indefinitely.