Study of Physiology
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mother in the home and should be faithfully carried forward in the
school. As the pupils advance in years, instruction in this line should
be continued until they are qualified to care for the house they live in.
They should understand the importance of guarding against disease by
preserving the vigor of every organ and should also be taught how to
deal with common diseases and accidents. Every school should give
instruction in both physiology and hygiene, and, so far as possible,
should be provided with facilities for illustrating the structure, use,
and care of the body.
There are matters not usually included in the study of physiology
that should be considered—matters of far greater value to the student
than are many of the technicalities commonly taught under this head.
As the foundation principle of all education in these lines, the youth
should be taught that the laws of nature are the laws of God—as truly
divine as are the precepts of the Decalogue. The laws that govern our
physical organism, God has written upon every nerve, muscle, and
fiber of the body. Every careless or willful violation of these laws is a
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sin against our Creator.
How necessary, then, that a thorough knowledge of these laws
should be imparted! The principles of hygiene as applied to diet,
exercise, the care of children, the treatment of the sick, and many like
matters, should be given much more attention than they ordinarily
receive.
The influence of the mind on the body, as well as of the body on the
mind, should be emphasized. The electric power of the brain, promoted
by mental activity, vitalizes the whole system, and is thus an invaluable
aid in resisting disease. This should be made plain. The power of the
will and the importance of self-control, both in the preservation and
in the recovery of health, the depressing and even ruinous effect of
anger, discontent, selfishness, or impurity, and, on the other hand, the
marvelous life-giving power to be found in cheerfulness, unselfishness,
gratitude, should also be shown.
There is a physiological truth—truth that we need to consider—in
the scripture, “A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a medicine.”
Proverbs 17:22
.
“Let thine heart keep My commandments,” God says; “for length
of days, and years of life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” “They are
life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” “Pleasant