Ellis's Primary Physiology; Or, Good Health for Boys and Girls

“Early to bed and early to rise” should be your motto. Children need abundant sleep, and ought to retire early and rise as soon as they awake in the morning. Their bodies and brains require regular rest.

Never lie on your back when sleeping, but on the left or right side. Place your limbs in the easiest position possible; otherwise you will be troubled by bad dreams, which will awake you from slumber. Try to keep your mouth closed, so as to breathe through your nostrils. You will thus escape the unpleasant habit of snoring.

TIME FOR SLEEP.

Infants and old people need more sleep than boys and girls. Night is made for rest, and the day for work. Do not take naps through the day nor sit up late at night. Never lie down to sleep directly after a meal.

POSITION IN STANDING, ETC.

Children are apt to stand and sit in a wrong position. When walking, the head and shoulders should be thrown back, so as to give the lungs full play. Breathe slowly and deeply, filling every part of the lungs at each inspiration. When in the school-room or at home, be careful not to lean over by bending the body in the middle of the back.

I am afraid that a good many children will find, if they notice their posture when studying their lessons, that their spines are curved like a bow and their shoulders pushed forward so as to crowd the lungs and prevent deep, healthful breathing. The boys, perhaps, will find a large dent or wrinkle in their clothing in front at the pit of the stomach. This shows that their posture is wrong.

WHERE TO BEND THE BODY.

If you wish to bend forward, the pivot is at the hips; the spine should not be bent at all. When a child is reminded that his posture is wrong, he is apt to straighten up with a jerk, throw his shoulders far back and thrust his chest forward like a pouter pigeon. This is almost as bad as the other extreme, for it is unnatural, and after a few minutes, they gradually return to their former stoop. The natural posture is easy and graceful and can be held longer than any other.

What should be your motto? What do children need? What do their bodies and brains require?

What position should be taken when lying in bed? What should be done with the limbs? What of bad dreams? How can you avoid the habit of snoring?

Who needs the most sleep? What is said of night and day? What of taking naps through the day? When should you avoid sleep?

What of standing and sitting? What ought your posture to be when walking? What is the right way to breathe? What must be guarded against when in the school-room or at home?

What will a good many children find, if they notice their posture when studying their lessons? What will show a boy that his position is wrong?

What is the right way to bend forward? What of the spine? What is a child apt to do when shown that his position at the desk is wrong? What have you to say of this?