Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 307, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1911 — MADE A THING OF THE PAST [ARTICLE]

MADE A THING OF THE PAST

Physical Culture In Schools Has Don*! Away With the Old-time ’ Bhou!der Braces. _ - Soma things of common necessity have been passing away without notice of their leave taking. Not Infrequently, a few years ago, at the breakfast table, the mother of the family, addressing the putative head of the household, would ray: "John, Fm really disturbed abmit Jane. She’a growing right up. Fve had to take two tucks out of her dress” “Humph! I suppose girls must grow.” "Yes, John, but that’s, not wbat I mean to call attention to. She stoops awfully. In spite of everything I say she won’t stand up straight. And there’s Billy, too He bends over like an old woman. Those children need shoulder braces. The sooner they have them the better. It mustn't be put off another day.” In that yesterday every drug store) had a Bupply of shoulder braces. They were advertised In the newspapers in liberal space and there was an active demand for them. Very little is heard about shoulder braces today, and boys and, girls seem to be growing up straight enough without such appliances. The reason for the passing of the shoulder brace for children will be recognized as soon as mentioned. The lack of demand Is almost Wholly due to the fact that more attention is now paid to physical training in our public schools than was the case a few years ago. The girls* are greatly improved thereby. They walk better and carry themselves better. Ab fori the boys, they are encouraged to en-i gage In athletic exercises which tend; to better them physically and carry’ out thp old Roman saying of “a sound, mind in a sound body.” For the advance that has been made praise is due to the gymnastic training advocated by a large German ele-i ment here for years before it was; given a tardy recognition. When thei girls get a little older they will slip; Into corsets, probably, but even then,, no matter how tight fitting, they have) been so built up physically that they l will not be transformed into hourglass patterns quite as readily as if) their bodies had not been given proper care when young. As for the boys,, they will grow Into lusty young manhood, with bodies fitted to enjoy ta the utmost the keenest outdoor sports and athletic exercises.—lndianapolis News.