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PHYSICAL EDUCATION

THE report of the Physical Education Committeeof the British Medical Association, published to-dayby the Association and obtainable for the modestprice of 6d., makes many important suggestions forthe improvement of the physical efficiency of thenation. The Committee was appointed early in1935 "to consider and report upon the necessityfor the cultivation of the physical development of thecivilian population and the methods to be pursuedfor this object." It consisted of 22 members,including the following 15 doctors : Dr. E. Kaye LeFleming, Dr. S. Watson Smith, Mr. H. S. Souttar,Mr. N. Bishop Harman, Sir Henry Brackenbury,Mr. W. McAdam Eccles, Sir Crisp English, Dr. W. N.West-Watson, Dr. Adolphe Abrahams, Dame JanetCampbell, Dr. G. P. Crowden, Dr. Henry Herd,Dr. L. R. Lempriere, Mr. R. C. Elmslie, and Miss M.Forrester-Brown.The Committee has received evidence from

numerous expert witnesses and has circulated fourdifferent questionnaires which have been completedby schools, colleges, voluntary organisations and indus-trial firms, and representatives of foreign countries..The report begins with a discussion of the

importance of exercise, fresh air, sunshine, diet,clothing, and so forth in the maintenance of bodilyfitness. This is followed by a survey of the positionof physical education in the general educational

system. The Committee finds that the existingarrangements in schools leave much to be desired.Usually too little time is devoted to the subject, andmany schools possess neither suitable accommoda-tion for gymnastic training nor sufficient playingfield space for outdoor games.

It recommends that properly equipped gymnasia,together with changing rooms and shower baths,should be provided in senior elementary, central, andjunior technical schools, and that facilities for gamesand swimming should be greatly increased. Theimportance of physical exercises being performed inappropriate costume is emphasised and local educa-tion authorities are urged to supply a stock of suitableclothing and gymnastic shoes for children who cannotprovide their own. The appointment of expertorganisers of physical education by all educationauthorities is strongly recommended and suggestionsare made as to the numbers of organisers of bothsexes required for different school populations.The Committee deprecates the tendency, especially

evident in many public schools for boys, to sub-ordinate physical education in gymnasia to fieldgames and athletics, and " to regard games as anunduly serious business rather than to play them forthe pleasure of playing." It also condemns thepractice, common in public and secondary schools,of curtailing the physical activities of senior pupilswho are preparing for examinations. Instructionin elementary physiology and hygiene is consideredto be an essential part of physical education and it isrecommended that such instruction should be givenin all schools as a branch of general science.The provision made for the promotion of physical

fitness among persons no longer attending schoolwas found on investigation to be seriously inadequate.Despite the valuable contributions of local authorities,voluntary organisations, and business firms to the

bodily well-being of this section of the population,it appears that at least 40 per cent. of persons betweenthe ages of 14 and 40 take no part in organised physical

recreation. It is recommended that the existingfacilities should be greatly extended and that, as

one means to this end, there should be closer coöpera-tion between all organisations concerned with thephysical welfare of the community. Hope is expressed ‘that the recently established Central Council ofRecreative Physical Training may act as an authorita-tive coordinating body, uniting in a common policythe endeavours of the Board of Education and thevoluntary organisations.The training of teachers of physical education is

next discussed, and here the need is stressed fora greatly increased supply of men suitably trainedto teach the subject in public and secondary schoolsfor boys. The comparative neglect of physicaleducation in the university training departmentsfor teachers is deplored, and it is recommendedthat universities should not only provide for the

physical education of undergraduates but shouldalso establish an internal diploma in the subject.Medical Supervision of Physical Education

Finally, the Committee envisages a much closerrelation between physical education and the scienceand art of medicine. The recommendations (LV. toLxv.) arising from this aspect of their deliberationsare set out in full below.

IN SCHOOLS

There should be close cooperation between the headmaster (or mistress), the school doctor, the parents, thegymnastic teacher, and the general teaching staff in allmatters pertaining to the physical welfare of the individualpupil.

Such cooperation is especially desirable in the preventionof the strain which girls are liable to suffer in mixed schools.Adequate medical supervision should be available to

ensure that unfit children do not participate in unsuitableor excessive exercises or games and that undernourishedchildren receive sufficient supplementary feeding toenable them to participate with benefit in the regularphysical exercises undertaken by the other children.

IN VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS

There should be closer cooperation between the healthservices and the educational services, whether central orlocal, in relation to the physical education of the popula-tion. The medical and physical training staff of thelocal authority should be available for consultation inconnexion with " keep-fit " and other recreative classesin the area.

Leaders should be trained to watch for signs of physicaldisability, and should advise any member of the class whoappears distressed or unduly fatigued to consult his or herdoctor before resuming attendance.

Clubs should attempt to provide suitable non-technicallectures, preferably by medical men, on physiology andhygiene.

Recreative physical activities provided by industrialfirms should be linked with the medical supervision of theemployees.

IN PHYSICAL TRAINING COLLEGES

Entrants to the physical training colleges should besubjected to a thorough medical examination.Medical examinations of students in training at the

physical training colleges should be held at frequentintervals, and the work of individual students regulatedin accordance with the examination results.The medical profession should cooperate with the

gymnastic profession by investigating the physiologicalrequirements and effects of the various exercises witha view to the scientific arrangement of the syllabus oftraining. To facilitate such investigation, efforts shouldbe made to establish some uniform system of physicalassessment of the individual student. In particular,a standard method of -testing exercise tolerance shouldbe devised.

Post-graduate courses should be established to provide

929

medical men and women with the special training whichthe medical supervision of physical education demands.

Appendices to the report contain an interestinghistorical sketch of physical education through theages, a brief outline of the position of physicaleducation in various foreign countries, and a descrip-tion of a " standards " scheme for school athleticswhich is suggested as an alternative to the usualschool sports system.

ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT FUND

At a recent meeting of the committee of this fund13 new applicants were assisted and 41 grants wererenewed to beneficiaries. In all n398 was voted. Thefollowing particulars of a few cases helped indicate thekind of work undertaken.

M. B., 1933, aged 27, who was responsible for the maintenanceof his mother and two younger brothers, had been preventedfrom taking up a salaried post owing to being in hospital foran operation and was without means. Fund voted .645.

L.R.C.P.Irel., aged 71. In 1935 he had a severe attack ofhemiplegia, which affected his speech and legs. Althoughimproved in health he has great difficulty in obtaining employ-ment owing to his deafness, speech, and age. He is earning10s. a week and is in receipt of the old age pension of 10s. aweek. His wife was operated on in 1934 and is in a very weakstate of health. She has the charge of a mentally defectivedaughter, and is endeavouring to increase her income by takinglodgers. Fund voted 940 per annum to the doctor and 926 tohis wife.

Widow of medical man aged 67. Suffering from perniciousaneemia; has been operated for cataract and has lost one eye.On the death of her husband in 1936 she was left with herdaughter in great financial difficulties, the only asset being thepossible sale of the practice for .8400. Two sisters-in-law, bothin very poor circumstances, have given all assistance withintheir powers. Fund voted 926 per annum and a special gift of910.

Widow of medical man aged 33, left on the death of herhusband with three children aged 5, 2 years, and 6 months,and a capital sum of under .82000. The Ladies’ Guild will helpwith education.

Daughter of medical man aged 54, suffering from diabetes,has an income of i860 per annum. Fund voted 926 perannum.

This is the centenary year of the fund and a specialappeal is being made for new subscribers to raise theannual income by subscriptions and donations to joe20,000.From the present income of 14,000 allowances of JE40and 26 are made to medical practitioners and their

dependents respectively. The increased income wouldenable the committee to raise these allowances to ;E52and 136. An appeal is also being made this year forspecial donations to create a fund from which larger grantscan be voted to very urgent and distressing cases, andwhich may be used to help with the training of widowsand orphan sons and daughters of medical practitionersto enable them to be self-supporting. Cheques should bemade payable to the hon. treasurer of the Fund, 11,Chandos-street, London, W.I.

LONDON AND COUNTIES MEDICAL PROTECTIONSOCIETY LIMITED.—The annual general meeting of this

society will be held at Victory House, Leicester-square,London, on Wednesday, May 6th, at 4 P.M., to receiveand adopt the annual report and balance sheet, and totransact other business of the society.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR PREVENTION OFBLINDNESS.—The general assembly of this associationand of the International Organisation of the Cam-paign against Trachoma will be held at 3 P.M. on

Monday, May llth, at the Centre Marcelin Berthelot,28 bis, rue St.-Dominique, Paris. Prof. de Lapersonne,the president, will take the chair, and communica-tions will be made by Dr. Park Lewis, Prof. F.Terrien, Mr. R. P. Wilson, Mr. A. F. MacCallan,and Mr. Bishop Harman. Further particulars maybe had from the secretary at 66, Boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris.

Medical DiarySOCIETIES

ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE, 1, Wimpole-street, W.TUESDAY, April 21st.-5.30 P.M. Meeting of Fellows.

Psychiatry and Disease in Children. 8.30 P.M. Dr.William Moodie and Dr. Reginald Miller: Enuresis.

THURSDAY.Dermaiology. 5 P.M. (Cases at 4 P.M.) Dr. H. W.

Barber: 1. Hereditary Alopecia in Mother andDaughter. Dr. G. B. Dowling : 2. Congenital Develop-mental Abnormality. Dr. A. 0. Roxburgh and Dr.R. Klaber: 3. Case for Diagnosis. Dr. Klaber :4. Idiopathic Hypochromic Aneemia with DermatitisHerpetiformis. Dr. Klaber and Dr. Freudenthal:5-6. Blue Neevi (Jadassohn). Dr. G. Bamber : 7. Kera-tosis of the Nipples. Dr. G. Heggs : 8. Aplasia Phalan-gium. Dr. R. D. Moyle: 9. Cystic Hygroma withRecurrences in the Skin. Prof. L. J. Witts : 10. Der-matomyositis.

Urology. 8.30 P.M. Mr. O. L. Addison : Urology inChildren.

FRIDAY.Disease in Children. Cases will be shown at 4.30 P.M.Epidemiology and State Medicine. 8.30 P.M. Dr. A. D.

Gardner: Prophylaxis, Treatment, and Bacteriologyof Pertussis.

MEDICO-LE GAL SOCIETY.THURSDAY, April 23rd.-8.30 P.M. (Manson House, 26,

Portland-place, W.), Prof. Laurie : The Applicationof Microscopic Methods to Deciding the History andOrigin of Pictures.

CHELSEA CLINICAL SOCIETY.TUESDAY, April 21st.-8.30 P.M. (Hotel Rembrandt,

Thurloe-place, S.W.), Prof. J. A. Gunn and Dr. A. J. D.. Cameron : The Trend of Modern Therapy.

PADDINGTON MEDICAL SOCIETY.TUESDAY, April 21st.-9 P.M. (Great Western Royal Hotel

Paddington, W.), Dr. Maurice Shaw : The BackwardBowel.

SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF INEBRIETY.TUESDAY, April 21st.-4 P.M. (11, Chandos-street, W.),

Annual General Meeting. Dr. J. D. Rolleston : OnSnuff-taking.

ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL DERMATOLOGICAL SOCIETY,5, Lisle-street, W.C.WEDNESDAY, April 22nd.-4.15 P.M., Clinical Cases.

5 P.M., Dr. George Bray : The Cutaneous Manifesta-tions of Allergy.

LECTURES. ADDRESSES. DEMONSTRATIONS, &:e.UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM.

TUESDAY, April 21st.-3.30 P.M. (General Hospital), Mr.A. B. Danby : Recent Advances in the Diagnosis andTreatment of the Toxaemias of Pregnancy.

FRIDAY (Queen’s Hospital), 3.30 P.M., Dr. J. F. Brailsford:The Possibilities of Antenatal Radiography in GeneralPractice.

BRITISH POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL SCHOOL, Ducane-road, W.MONDAY, April 20th-2.15 P.M., Dr. Duncan White :

Radiological Demonstration.TUESDAY.-2 P.M., Prof. E. H. Kettle: Pathological

Lecture-demonstration. 3 P.M., Mr. E. J. King,Ph.D. : Phosphatase in Bone Formation and in BoneDisease.

WEDNESDAY.-Noon, clinical and pathological conference(medical). 2.30 P.M., clinical and pathological con-ference (surgical).

THURSDAY.-2.30 P.M., Dr. W. S. C. Copeman: Arthritis.3 P.M., Dr. Chassar Moir: Operative Obstetrics.

FRIDAY.-2.15 P.M., Dr. A. A. Davis : GynaecologicalPathology. 3.30 P.M., Dr. Alan Moncrieff: Hygieneof the New-born Child. 5 P.M., Sir James Walton :The Surgical Aspects of Dyspepsia.

Daily, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., medical clinics, surgical clinics oroperations, obstetric and gynaecological clinics or

operations, refresher course for general practitioners.FELLOWSHIP OF MEDICINE AND POST-GRADUATEMEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 1, Wimpole-street, W.MONDAY, April 20th, to SATURDAY, April 25th.-ROYAL

EYE HOSPITAL, St. George’s-circus, S.E. Afternooncourse in ophthalmology.-ST. MARK’s HOSPITAL,City-road, E.C. All-day course in proctology. Coursesare open only to members of the fellowship.

HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN, Great Ormond-street,W.C.WEDNESDAY, April 22nd.-2 P.M., Mr. Denis Browne:

Cleft Palate and Hare-lip. 3 P.M., Mr. H. C. Apperly :Irregularities of the Teeth and Jaws.

Out-patient clinics daily at 10 A.M. and ward visits at2 P.M.

NATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OF THE HEART,Westmoreland-street, W.TUESDAY, April 21st.-5.30 P.M., Dr. F. W. Price : Chronic

Myocardial Disease.MANCHESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY.

TUESDAY, April 21st.-4.15 P.M., Dr. F. E. Tylecote : ThePhysician and the Menopause.

FRIDAY.-4.15 P.M., Mr. John Morley: Demonstration ofSurgical Cases.

GLASGOW POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.WEDNESDAY, April 22nd.-4.15 P.M. (Western Infirmary),

Mr. J. Mill Renton : Toxic Goitre and its Treatment.