In girls' schools much attention is now given to physical culture; not only do they go through regular courses in the gymnasium, but they play games such as cricket, football, hockey, and practise swimming, riding, fencing, rowing, skating, and dancing. These exercises all tend to improve their physical and moral strength, and should be encouraged, provided each child is subject to periodical medical examination, so that she shall not be allowed to do more than is good for her. Here again enough care is not exercised, and delicate children, too timid to protest, are compelled to join in exercises too tiring for them. A judicious distinction should be made between these and the lazy and indolent. A girl has often to pass through the critical period of her existence while at school, and if she is allowed to over-exert herself she may be rendered delicate for life. She cannot be expected to judge of the ill-effects upon her health of too violent exercise or too concentrated brain work; therefore special care should be taken by those who are responsible for her education. Provided intelligence is exercised, physical culture in every form cannot be too highly commended. It makes the mind healthy, aids in the development of the body, and girls who are wisely managed in this respect suffer far less from indifferent health than they did in the days when they led more sedentary lives. As possible mothers of a future vigorous race the physique should be jealously cared for and the brain not overworked. A woman can always continue to educate herself, but a bad constitution is incurable.
(BMJ 1903;ii: 922)