DANCING DANGERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1929, Page 8

DANCING DANGERS.

Some women, visiting the recent Dunedin music and dancing competitions, started discussing the advisability of having step and fancy dancing taught to young children. One of them, a mother, said she would not allow her Alice to start straining her legs, and another advanced the opinion that toe dancing in early life induced varicose veins in grown-ups. This suggestion made such an impression on a ' third member of the party that she resolved, in the interests of her children, to consult the family physician and his answer is here given for the guidance of others. It is to l * this effect: That dancing in moderation is a desirable form of exercise, hut that teachers should he careful to call a halt when they see that any child who is being taught fancy dancing is becoming tired. The result to bo feared, if rest is not given, is that the arches may be impaired, and thus cause flat-footedness. Unreasonably lengthy spells of dancing may also strain the calf muscles, and ultimately throw the legs out of shape. The warning applies generally but more particularly to toe dancing. The risk of varicose veins is negligible. Dancing develops the muscles, not the veins. The dreaded varicose condition that is disabling so many women is largely attributable to hereditary causes, and may be brought about in shop girls by their having tL stand too long.

AN INSCRIPTION DISSECTED. “I was coming through Kent- the other day and J looked put of. the window of my charabanc and saw a school, and above the portals of the school was written: “Wisdom hath builded a house.” That moved my mind a little. I though when I got back I would look and sec what some other of those writers like the writer of the Book of Proverbs had to say about Building Societies and houses. To my horror I. found that the writer of Ecclesiasticus said: ‘He that buildeth his house with other men’s money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb.’ Of course, in these writings the context lias to be taken into consideration, although 1 admit that at times the context of Ecclesiasticus is difficult to follow. I therefore looked further and found that later on the writer said: ‘He that is merciful will lend unto Ills neighbour.’ I therefore took courage and I read on and found: ‘After I am come into my house I will repose myself with wisdom.’ So you see it all came right in the end.”-—Dr Alfred Manshridge, chairman of the World Association for Adult Education.