Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 52.djvu/645

Rh janitors, for the heating and ventilating plants, fuel, etc. The whole building is heated by hot water or steam. The apparatus in the main hall is partly portable, including wooden and iron dumbbells, Indian clubs, and wands; there are pulley weights, arranged to exercise all the principal groups of muscles, and adjustable to suit all grades of strength; fixed or "heavy" apparatus, comprising such forms as the horizontal bar, parallel bars, ladders, ropes, poles, swinging rings, the horse and buck for vaulting; and provision is also made for a variety of simple throwing and running games.

Before the student enters the gymnasium he is generally called upon to submit to a physical examination. In some schools this is required of every student, whether he goes to the gymnasium or not; in others it is optional for all, or confined to those in actual attendance. Its extent and thoroughness vary with the training and character of the examiner and the time at his disposal; but there is a general uniformity of method throughout the country. The most complete form includes (1) a record of certain facts of family and personal history which may explain abnormal conditions, if these are present, and direct attention to probable tendencies. Among such facts are the nationality and longevity of grandparents and parents, the environment and health of parents, the father's occupation, diseases common in the family or thought to be hereditary, personal injuries and diseases, habits regarding physical and mental work and recreation, sleep, life in the open air, the use of stimulants and narcotics; (2) a systematic inspection of the whole body, recording such points as apparent temperament, general muscular development and condition, the position of head and shoulders, deviations from the normal curvature of the spinal column, shape and mobility of the chest, proportionate development of various groups of muscles, and abnormalities of whatever sort; (3) a medical examination of the heart and lungs; (4) a series of about fifty measurements of weight, height, various lengths, breadths, and depths, the girths of trunk and limbs at different levels, followed by tests of lung capacity, and of the strength of large muscular masses—for example those of the chest, back, front of thighs, upper arms, and forearms.

In many instances, and especially where the director is without medical training, the examination is much less complete, and covers little more than a few facts of history and a series of measurements and tests. These may be of value as a means of interesting the student in his own development and furnishing data for future comparison, but by themselves they are almost worthless as an index of physical health and proficiency, or as a ground for special instructions. They need to be supplemented and explained by inspection, and by other means of examination and diagnosis. But if the work