Scouting for Boys by Baden-Powell Robert

Author:Baden-Powell, Robert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: 2014-07-28T16:00:00+00:00

CONTENTS: CHAPTER VII.

(Commences on page 240.)

CHIVALRY of the KNIGHTS.

HINTS TO INSTRUCTORS.

CAMP FIRE YARNS.

20.—CHIVALRY TO OTHERS: Knight Errantry; Helpfulness; Courtesy.

21.—SELF-DISCIPLINE: Honour: Obedience; Courage; Cheeriness.

22.—SELF-IMPROVEMENT: Religion; Thrift; How to get on.

PRACTICES, GAMES, DISPLAYS, ETC., IN

CHIVALRY.BOOKS TO READ.

ENDURANCE FOR SCOUTS;

HINTS TO INSTRUCTORS.

HOW TO HELP IN A GREAT NATIONAL WORK.

Recent reports on the deterioration of our race ought to act as a warning to be taken in time before it goes too far.

One cause which contributed to the downfall of the Roman Empire was the fact that the soldiers fell away from the standard of their forefathers in bodily strength.

Our standard of height in the Army was 5ft. 6in. in 1845; it was FOUR INCHES less in 1895. In 1900 forty-four men in every thousand recruits weighed under 7st. 12lbs.; in 1905 this deficiency had increased to seventy-six per thousand.

This year our recruits were two inches below the standard height of men of their age, viz., eighteen to nineteen, and six pounds under the average weight.

Three thousand men were sent home from the South African War on account of bad teeth.

Reports on school children, made by the London County Council, show that out of 700 examined only twenty had sound teeth, 323 had more than five teeth decayed.

Out of 1,521 examined for adenoids in the throat 29 per cent. had enlargements, 10 per cent. required operation. Out of 1,000 boys of thirteen, sons of rich or well-to-do persons, examined by Dr. Clement Dukes, 526 had knock-knees, 445 had curvature of the spine, 329 flat feet, 126 pigeon-breasts—all preventable deformities. In this case, however, the teeth were well cared for.

Deafness from adenoids and weak eyesight are also very prevalent among them.

Dr. Wright Thomson, in the “British Medical Journal” September 14th, 1907, shows how town children suffer greatly from defective sight, which might, be, to a great extent, remedied by special exercises for the eyes and by good feeding.

The report [see Blue Book C. D. 3637] last year on the school children of Glasgow showed their average weight and height were very much below the standard; and these varied almost exactly according to the number of rooms occupied by the family, that is, according to the air space available.

These and the many similar reports show that much PREVENTABLE deterioration is being allowed to creep in among the rising generation.

Then there is also prevalent a great amount of illness resulting from self abuse and venereal disease, as well as from drink. Also much pauper over-population due to want of self-restraint on the part of men and women.

The training of Boy Scouts would be therefore incomplete if it did not endeavour to help in remedying these evils. Some idea is much needed among boys of their personal hygiene. It has been stated on good authority that half our losses in the Boer War from sickness might have been avoided had our men and officers had any knowledge of personal care of their health.

No doubt it is the same in peace time, as numbers of men are thrown out

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