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Extensive manual on the physical education of children from birth to puberty

BALLEXSERD, Jacques.
Dissertation sur l'education physique des enfans, depuis leur naissance jusqu' à l'âge de puberté. Ouvrage qui a remporté le prix le 21 mai 1762, à la Société Hollandoise des Sciences.

With engraved vignette on title with explication on p. 16.

Paris, Vallat-La-Chapelle, 1762. 12mo. Contemporary half calf, gilt spine with red title label. With engraved vignette on title with explication on p. 16. (16), 189, (1) pp.

Rare first edition in 12mo of an extensive manual on the physical education of children from birth to about fifteen or sixteen years old, by Jacques Ballexserd (1726-1774), citizen of Geneva and a pupil of Antoine Petit, professor of medicine at Paris, to whom the book is dedicated. After an introduction on the way of life of parents before the birth of a child, and of mothers during pregnancy, the author treats the physical care and education of children, divided into four main periods.
The first period concerns the care of the newly born to the end of breast-feeding, and discusses the clothing, the use of light and fresh air, the kissing and carrying of the baby, etc., including strong warnings against the swaddling and rocking of children. The second period, covering children's physical care from the end of breast-feeding, when children are about ten, twelve or fifteen months, to the age of five or six, is devoted to children's clothing, food, etc., and gives much attention to the development of the feelings and senses of little children, with strong warnings against over bearing or over caring of parents. Also the right physical exercises are discussed. The third period treats the physical health and exercises of children from about five or six to about ten or twelve years of age, including discussions of rewards and punishments and of learning. The last period, relating to children from about ten or twelve to about fifteen of sixteen, discusses again the clothing and food, and pays attention to children's character and passions, to games and recreation, and at the end includes a discussion on tobacco, which is advised as a remedy only, never to become a habit, and on working, with warnings against carrying heavy loads on one's head, etc.
At the last page a copy is printed of the letter to the author from C. van der Aa, secretary of the Hollandsche Maatschappye der Weetenschappen, Dutch Society of Sciences, in which the prize is awarded for the underlying dissertation
In the same year an octavo edition appeared at the same publisher, followed by an edition in 1763 and 1780. In 1763 the essay appeared in Dutch in the series ''Verhandelingen uitgegeeven door de Hollandsche Maatschappye der weetenschappen part VII'' at Haarlem, titled: ''Antwoord van de heere Ballexserd: Wat is het beste bestier..... toegeweezen''.

Good copy with ownership's signature in ink on title and p. 1; 'J. Louis Bourdillon'', library stamp on half-title and p. 189.- (Some lvs. sl. browned).

Wellcome II, p. 92 (8vo. edition); not in Cioranescu, nor in Buisson, Nouv. Dict. de Pédagogie.

Related Subjects: Children's Books Education Sports & Recreation

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