stammer and almost break down. Sometimes he could not utter a word. Some of his teachers did not dare call on him to recite at all although his written work was good. Examination showed a marked abnormal curvature of the spine backwards in the dorso-cervical region and a marked sway-back in the lumbar region, together with a weak stomach, malnutrition and a poor development. He was given special exercises in addition to the regular class work. At the end of the season his nervousness was much less marked although he still stammered. He had gained sixteen pounds in weight and thirty-six millimeters (nearly one and one-half inches) in girth of chest. These examples could be multiplied almost indefinitely, but are cited simply to give you an idea of some of the work being done by this department that can not be measured by rule or tape line. The design of this work is the betterment of the individual. Its aim is to help the men who need help the most, and not to develop a few crack gymnasts who are already in good health. Consequently there are no "grand-stand plays" to be made.

REPORT ON CHART OF THE AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS OF
THE GYMNASIUM CLASS, 1896-97.

In submitting this chart I venture to call your attention to a few special points.

First. The average, falling slightly below the average for college men, indicates that not the biggest and best developed men in the University entered the gymnasium, but rather those who most needed the work.

Second. The lines representing the first and second measurements being, approximately, parallel throughout show that the gain has not been a one-sided or specialized development, but a general improvement of the whole body. The average gain in girth of chest, normal, is thirty millimeters. The average gain in chest expanded is thirty-two millimeters, or slightly more than the gain in chest normal. This shows an increased flexibility of the ribs.

The girth measurements show a uniform gain. The breadth of neck shows a gain of four millimeters. This, taken together with the increase in girth, shows a better carriage of the head and a better blood supply to the brain. This in itself is of great importance

to the student. The average gain in lung capacity is thirteen cubic inches. Some individuals increased as much as thirty-two cubic inches.

REPORT OF 1897-98.

The organization of the work in the fall term was interfered with by the absence of the Director. The classes were started November 1st by members of last year's leaders' corps. As soon as the winter term opened the Director assumed personal charge of all classes. It was thought that the scope of the work could be broadened, and its benefits brought to a larger number of students if the classes were held oftener than twice per week. With this in view the Director secured permission to hold the classes five nights per week instead of two. At the same time, and at the suggestion of the Director, the Athletic Committee passed a rule that any student taking part in any athletic contest should take at least two months' preparatory training, which should be satisfactory to the Director and under his direction. They also required those using the gymnasium to take at least two class lessons per week. With the gymnasium open every night, except Saturday, from 6 to 8 p. m., the men came in so fast that it took the Director and an assistant from twenty to twentyfive hours per week just to examine them. The popularity of this new arrangement can easily be seen from the following table. All men were required to be present eight times per month.

twice per week.

This shows a gain in voluntary attendance, over and above the required work, of 20 per cent. in one month. At this time there were 170 men taking the regular work at least On one night there were 90 men in the class drill. The average attendance for the five nights per week during this entire term was 52. As heretofore, all men using the gymnasium were examined by the Director. Six cases of heart disease were found. Two of these cases had entered for the mile run, and two for the bicycle races, not knowing that they had weak hearts. They were not allowed to enter. One man, Mr. D., whose heart when first examined lost one

beat in every thirty-two, improved so that, while still showing some weakness, it no longer lost any beats. One case of rupture from over straining while at work in the foundry was discovered. Upon the recommendation of the Director he was excused from all heavy lifting, and was given special treatment in the gymnasium. He recovered sufficiently to compete on the track team in the spring. All these cases were referred to Dr. Moffitt, who confirmed the diagnosis and approved of the course of training recommended by the Director. Most of the heart trouble was due to the use of tobacco, and at the time of the second examination had improved to a marked degree. Twenty-four cases of spinal curvature were found among the new men. Twenty of these were due to one leg being shorter than the other. These cases received special treatment as heretofore. One case, Mr. E., had a very marked case of kyphosis or rounding of the spine between the shoulders. After practicing the special exercises prescribed for two months, he increased the length of his spine (by straightening the curve) 30 millimeters (about 1 in.). He also gained an inch in girth of chest and twentyeight cubic inches in lung capacity. Mr. F., who had suffered from asthma for several years, by practicing the exercises prescribed increased his lung capacity 110 cubic inches. A gain of 40 per cent. in two months. Mr. G., gained 36 cubic inches in the same time, and Mr. H. gained 30 cubic inches in six weeks.

REPORT ON CHART OF AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS OF 150 MEN, 1897-98.

The average length of time that these men took the gymnasium work was only two months. The gains are as great this year with two months' work, five nights per week, as they were last year with five months' work, with two lessons per week.

REPORT OF 1898-99.

The plan of having the gymnasium open every night (except Saturday) was tried last year, and proved so successful that it was adopted this year, although it more than doubled the work of this department. The number of men enrolled during this term was seventy-four, or nearly twice as many as during the fall term last year. The average weekly attendance was sixty-four more than the required number. The girl's class had a membership of thirty-two and an average attendance of twenty-four.

WINTER TERM.

The attendance now rapidly increased from seventy-four, on January 1st, to one hundred and eighty on March 1st. The rapidity of the increase is shown by the fact that during the month of January the attendance was four hundred twenty-three, but during February it was nine hundred seventy-five, or more than double the attendance of January. Two hundred and five men were enrolled in the classes during this year.

REPORT ON CHART, 1898-99.

The average gain of the entire class is not remarkable, but it demonstrates the substantial character of the work done by the department. One of the many interesting features of the chart is the disproving of the common notion that a right-handed man, having the right arm the larger, will have the left leg the larger. This theory does not hold in this chart.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.

Among the interesting features of the physical examinations may be mentioned, the discovery of eight cases of hypertrophy of the heart with mitral insufficiency and regurgitation. These cases were referred to Dr. Moffitt, who confirmed the diagnosis and approved of the treatment prescribed by the Director. Fourteen cases, in which the heart was more or less affected by the use of tobacco, were found and materially improved by the training. Three cases of very marked kyphosis were found. Two cases of lordosis were also found. Sixty men had lateral curvature of the spine. In fortyfive cases the curvature was due to the fact that one leg was shorter than the other.

This year over twenty men from the short course in Agriculture entered the gymnasium, and they were found to be in need of the corrective work quite as much as the students coming from the cities and towns.

Respectfully submitted,

FRANK HOMER CURTISS,
Physical Director.

REPORT ON WORK OF PURDUE Y. M. C. A.

LAFAYETTE, IND., January 10, 1900.

To the President of Purdue University:

Sir The Young Men's Christian Association of Purdue University is a part of that broad Christian movement among colleges which has within recent years become thoroughly established in the higher educational institutions of every description. Our Association was organized in the eighties, and has maintained a creditable existence since that time, although in recent years its influence has not increased in proportion to the growth of the University.

Recognizing the value of similar associations, which have reached a high stage of development in some of the foremost colleges and universities, in cherishing and aiding the development of Christian manhood among students, the University authorities early in 1898 consulted with Mr. C. C. Michener, of the International Committee, regarding the possibilities of bringing the Purdue Association to a higher degree of usefulness. As a result of this, it was decided to enlist the services of a competent man who should devote his whole time to the interests of the Association and to personal work among the students, in accordance with its policy.

With the co-operation of Mr. Michener and others, Mr. George W. Leavitt, a graduate of Beloit College, was appointed to the position, and began work at the opening of the fall term of the University, in 1898. This employment of a General Secretary was the first of its kind in any college in Indiana.

Since this time the work, the membership and the influence of the Association have been extended to a degree which seems to warrant some special account of its operations.

It is important at the outset that the policy and purpose of the Association should be clearly understood.