STARTLING EFFECTS OF OVER-STUDY.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 408, 15 March 1879, Page 2

STARTLING EFFECTS OF OVER-STUDY.

In a paper read before a scientific society in Milwaukee, Dr Walter Kempster, a profound student of mental physiology,attributes the increase of insanity in some measure to the manner in which the minds of children are injured by the common method of teaching. Dr Kempster is superintendent of an Insane Assylum, and has devoted his time and' attention to the’ study of mental disorders, and Ins opinions are worthy of careful consideiation. Very few observing people will feel inclined to dispute what he asserts, for the irrational method of forcing the minds of children, in common use, and the neglect of physical culture, are generally condemned. School directors now admit the injury to the eyes and the general health of scholars from stuffing the memory with book lessons, and some efforts are made to introduce oval teaching, but nut much progress has been made in the effort to effect a teform. If additional incentive were' needed, it should be found in the charge now made against the unnatural attempt to fill the minds of young persons with the lessons of the text books. An undue amount of mental exertion mustbeiujurious,and where it taxes only the memory without propei control of the nobler faculties,the least reflection should satisfy inlellgent educators of its hurtful effects.

The effect on the health of girls is espe'cially noticeable. In some of the schools the more advanced scholars have to begin their studies at an early hour, and with' brief intervals,, spend tbe day and evening in the tiresome work. A morbid condition of mind and body is an inevitable consequence. The first aim of education, should be to promote physical health , for without this there can bo no healthy development of the mind. The next aim should bo to exercise and train the mind in such matter as will bring forth its best powers. Recreation, hilarity and activity arc essential to a vigorous mental condition, and there should be no serious strain nor long-continued exercise of the reflective powers. The great object should be toprepare the young for the useful duties of life ; anti a much greater number of hours should be devoted to physical and industrial exercises and recreations than to mental training.