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True Education
As the students 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. They also should be taught
how to deal with common diseases and accidents. Every school
should give instruction in both physiology and hygiene.
There are matters not usually included in the study of physiology
that should be considered—matters of far greater value to the student
than many of the technicalities commonly taught under this subject.
As the foundation principle of all education in these lines, the young
should be taught that the laws of nature are the laws of God—as
truly divine as are the precepts of the Decalogue. God has written
on every nerve, muscle, and fiber of the body the laws that govern
our physical organism. Every careless or willful violation of these
laws is a sin against our Creator.
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, should be empha-
sized. Likewise, the depressing and even ruinous effect of anger,
discontent, selfishness, or impurity should be shown. On the other
hand, the marvelous life-giving power to be found in cheerfulness,
unselfishness, and gratitude should be emphasized.
There is a physiological truth in the scripture, “A merry [rejoic-
ing] heart does good, like medicine.”
Proverbs 17:22
.
As the mechanism of the body is studied, attention should be di-
rected to its wonderful adaptation of means to ends, the harmonious
action and dependence of the various organs. As the interest of the
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students is thus awakened, and they are led to see the importance of
physical culture, much can be done by the teacher to secure proper
development and right habits.
Correct Posture and Respiration
Among the first things to be aimed at should be a correct position,
both in sitting and in standing. God made humans upright, and He