Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-06
SCHOOL HYGIENE
Points for Teachers and School
Authorities to Consider.
THE HEALTH OF The PUPILS
The Matter Of Cleanliness and of
Proper Clothing.

~ O'O''''i
SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE
The report of the committee on schools
submitted TO the East Washington Cstf-
zens' Association at its last monthly meet
ing included paper On Our Public schools
From a Sanitary and Hygienic Standpoint
by DIR. r. Harvey Reed OF Columbus Ohio.
from which the following is taken.
1T may not always Doe practicable or even
possible for the teachers Of our public
schools to look after the cleanliness of th,
body of the scholars. and Yet. al the same
time, it is to certain extent practicable
and, so far possible should bc.a uart OF
the teachers duty. A board OF education
has no more right TO permi; a scholar 10 at
tend the public school with "A dirty body
than II has 10 allow a scholar TO attend
school who has a contagious skin diseaS,
Ihey are both unhealthy. well as disgust
ing and loathsome conditions
whilst some Of these are parasitic dis
eases dirt contributes to certain forms of
skin diseases, which. although not con-
taSious, are to a certain degree as loath-
some as the former hence school boards
should require the teachers to compel bodily
cleanliness. not only from a hyrienic stand
point but from moral and educational
standpoint
1t is not sufficient that teachers should
simply teach the various branches common
20 our public schools. but they should be In
structed 10 teach common cleanliness. which
is next to godliness
Clothing.
FHs-r
school board or the teacher To order and ell
force what child should wear. or what he
should not wear. Yet. at the same time il
does come within the province of a teacher
10 educate the children: ana one Of the es-
sentials to . liberal education is to teach
them in reference TO their clothing and th,.
proper use Of it. The teacher has no right
10 allow a scholar who has been out play
ing during recess TO come in with his colf
ana vest off, sit in a draught. or even sit i'm
a cool room, taking the chance of catchi,l...
cold. The teacher should know AMI instruct
The child who does this that it is unhealthy
and See to it that the child takes proper care
If its health by the judicious use of its
clothing. They should instruct it in REGARD
70 the dangers Of exposure 10 wet ana IS
pecially of sitting in school room OF else
where with wet feet or wet clothing of any
Nlill lLeN SflOulu also warn older
scholars, and especially the girls. against
the practice Of tight lacing. or. in fact lac
ING at all. which is always objectionable In
the case Of growing child. These are all
practical points which should legitirratsIv
come under the observation Of the school
teacher, who, to a large extent. has under
his or her care the rising generation from
me time they enter the infant class until
tney graduate from the high school.
Physical Culture.
whilst physical culture is taught i'm some
Of our public schools yet at the same time.
little attention is given to it in the average
public school throughout the country. Few
teachers pay any attention TO the position a
child takes at its desk or in the class and
less attention is given by school boards in
reference to the proper development Of IN,
muscles, which is 50 essential in the more
delicate and nervous pupils. who ne.., II tn.
most. 1t is true. in cities where gymnasi-
ums exist, scholars may avail themselves of
the privileges and benefits afforded by these
'aiuable resources for the development uT
the ply economy. But when We con-
slder that an immense army OF children
VINO attend the public schools either have no
opportunities for the advantages afforded by
SymnaSiufns or are the victims of INDECENT
circumstances. that prohibit them from en-
Joylng these privileges, some allowances
should be made
Consequently the board Of education should
take this matter in hand and provide to a
limited extent, at least, for the DEVELOPMENT
OF the physical economy as well as the mem
tai. y small portion OF time can Toe SCI
aside each day for special instruction in
physical culture by a competent teacher
VINO should be required to visit each school
room and give the scholars regular svsta-
matte instruction from the time they enter
the infant class until they graduate from
the nigh school.
Gymna<iumS.
VI .r oh, u
every high school should be equipped with
AZ least miniature gymnasium: a few
dumbbells and Indian clubs should be fur
nished; 4 horizontal bar swings and roprs
should be provided in a room set aside for
This purpose, where certain hours can be-,
devoted 10 this exercise by every scholar OF
The nigh school; ana not only this but il
should be required Of both sexes that they
take certain amount OF exercise each DAY
" Eich should be especially directed [, Inc
development OF that pare Of the physical
economy which, in the judgment OF IN,
teacher in this branch. seeIns the most i'm
pOrtant We do not mean by this that bro
miscuous exercise should be had but ti,3-
either certain hour should be set aside FOR
each sex, or room for each sex provided
50 that perfect freedom ia the action OF all
the muscles can be brought about without
embarrassment TO any scholar in the school.
Conclusions.
First We would recommend that the
average architect devote mere time 10 The
study Of sanitary principles. ana not only
acquaint himself with sanitary laws. but
put them into practice when h builds Our
school houses. better = thousand times
leave OF the ornaments which simply
please the eye. and IN their stead furnish
the necessities which insure comfort. p,,e-
vent sickness and TrolOng life. n archi-
tccts do not Ksow how 10 properly plan Tor
the lighting of school buildings, they should
consult oculists and learn from them a few,
principles on refractiCn and the effects ii
bad light upon the eye. and especially that
OF the growing child. They should be com
PEELED to introduce into our school rooms
the improved methods of heating and V,nti-
lation (Which, by the way. go hand an
handl which equalize the temperature IN
such manner that there is but a feS. de-
grees difference between the floor ana IN.
ceiling, the middle of the room or the most
distant seat in its farthest corner. At the
same time school boards should demand
that every scholar in every room in every
school building should be furnished with at
least ltD cubic feet Of pure. fresh air
every hour. Of a proper temperature in
the winter, which does not have the oxygen
burned out of~it by red-hot furnace. bat
which has been simply warmed and fur
nished to the school room, without over
heating any scholar or placing a single
pupil in a draught: and also provide FOR
the continued and prompt removal Of all