Physiology and Hygiene for Secondary SchoolsWalters, Francis M. (Francis Marion)
Science
Physiology and Hygiene for Secondary Schools
Walters, Francis M. (Francis Marion)
Physiology
*Habit versus Self-control.*—The power of self-control, already emphasized
for its importance in the economical expenditure of the nervous energy, is
of vital importance in its relation to the habits of the body.
Self-control is the chief safeguard against the formation of bad habits
and is the only means of redemption from such habits after they have once
been formed. The persistent cultivation of the power to control the
appetites and the passions, as well as all forms of activity which tend to
injure the body or debase the character, gives a tone to the nervous
system which increases the self-respect and raises the individual to a
_higher plane of life_. The worst habits _can_ be broken and good ones
formed in their stead, if only there is sufficient determination to
accomplish these results. Failure comes from not having the mind
thoroughly "made up" and from not having, back of the desire to do better,
"the strong will of a righteous determination."
*Effects of External Conditions.*—While the inner life and habits have
most to do with the hygiene of the nervous system, a certain amount of
attention may properly be given to those conditions outside of the body
which affect directly or indirectly the state of this system. Noise,
disorder, and confusion act as nervous irritants, but quiet, order, and
system have the opposite effect. There is, therefore, much in the
management of the office, factory, schoolroom, or home that has to do with
the real hygiene of the nerves as well as with the efficiency of the work
that is being done. The suppression of distracting influences not only
enables the mind to be given fully to the work in hand, but actually
prevents waste of nervous energy. Although the responsibility for securing
the best conditions for work rests primarily with those in charge, it is
also true that each individual in every organization may contribute to the
order or disorder that prevails.
*Social Relations.*—In considering the external conditions that affect the
nervous system, the fact must not be overlooked that man is a social being
and has to adjust himself to an established social order. His relations to
his fellow-men, therefore, affect strongly his nervous condition and
theirs also. For this reason the best hygiene of the nervous system is
based upon _moral_ as well as physical right living. Along with the power
of self-control and the maintenance of a correct nervous poise, there
should be a proper regard for the welfare of others. On account of the
ease with which one individual may disturb the nervous state of another,
those social forms and customs which tend to establish harmonious
relations among men are truly hygienic in their effects, and may well be
carried out in spirit as well as "in letter."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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