The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-14
MUST NOT USE STATES
STATE HEALTH BOARD PROMUL-
GATES SCHOOL SANITARY RULES.
Desks to BE Disfnfected and Pens
and Pencils to BE Sterilized
Each Day.

adopted special sanitary rules governing
the schools of the State, and these rules
were promulgated by Secretary Hurry Sat
urday. The following explanation is first
offered:
simultaneously with the annual opening
of the public schools diphtheria, measles,
munps, scarlet fever and many other dis
eases usually increase. This Is ,E caused by
together, and contact spreads lnfecton.
Some few pupils may have just recovered
be from families that have been smitten,
and, being infected, they transmit disease
to those who are susceptible 1t Is reason
able 10 assume that the suddenly-imposed
confinement in the school after a period or
freedom frets the children for a few days,
causing more or less nervousness, and so
resistance is temporarily lowered. In this
way susceptibility may be increased and
sickness may more readily follow. 10 DO
all that is possible to prevent the usual
school-opening increase in illness IS the OBJ
ject of these rules
1T IS ordered in the rules that desk tops
and banisters be washed with soap and
water and afterward be treated with dis
infectant. This is required. because it is
more than probable that disease germs are
planted upon exposed desk tops and bants-
tiers by infected persons, and being trans
ferred by the childrens hands to their
mouths. disease results. The washing and
diSinfecting will do much to prevent infec
ton from this source.
open water buckets and large tin cups
are condemned, because the dipping of
water with cups which are used by many
introduce SplILie INTO the supply, ana. De-
sides, open buckets catch dust and dirt.
Diphthera, diarrhoea, sore mouth and
other complaints have been transmitted in
this way. This source of disease may be
avoided to considerable degree by supply
ing covered tank with large. free-f1ow-
ing faucet and a small cup. The opening
stream, which will suddenly fill the cup
and wash the saliva from the edge. Ample
drainage must be provided for carrying
away the waste water.
States are condemned because of their
uncleanliness. Writing and figures being
obliterated, as they frequently are. with
spittle, and, as the damp states readily col
n let ,,s dust the danger Of the
children generally place pencils and pens
in their mouths. and if these articles are
promiscuously distributed without being
sterilized, as the rules direct infection may
result. The collecting of pencils seems
necessary to always insure one to each
pupil
Splitting is prohibited. because it is
possible source of disease, is filthy and is
"These rules may seem triiing and I'M
necessary to those who have not given
consideration to modern sanitation, but the
teachers more than any other public officer
may secure the physical well-being of the
pupil as well as the intellectual advance
ment 1t is hoped that all the school au-
thorities, of the State will PROMPTLY enforce
these rules
THE NEW RULES.
The following are the rules in full:
Rule 1-All teachers of public private and
health officers ard all school authorities
snail refuse admittance to the schools I'M
der their jurisdiction of any person from
any houSehotd when a contagious disease
exists or any person affected with any evil
dent or apparent communicable disease,
or any person who may recently have been
affected with diphtheria membraneolls
Group, scarlet fever, whooping cough, con-
tagious skin disease, measles or other COM
mun1cable diseases until first presenting a
certificate signed by reputable physician
stating that danger of communicating such
disease is past and said certificate is APP
proved and Endorsed by the health officer
III whose Jurisdiction The person may re-
Rule 2-All teachers of public, private or
parochial schools shall refuse admittance
TO their schools of filthy or unclean per-
sons.
Rule 3-Al school commissioners. school
trustees in cities and towns and township
trustees shall have the schoolhouses under
their control put in sanitary condition be-
fore school is opened and kept SO through
out the year. Floors shall be scrubbed
windows cleaned, desks and all woodwork
washed with soap and water and treated
with disinfectant- Windows shall be in
repair so that ventilation may be made
perfect. Heating apparatus shall be eff
cient and in good order, and dirty walls and
bani5terS made clean. Banisters and tops
of desks shall be washehd with soap and
each week.
The disinfectant for treating desk tops.
banisters, etc, and for use in urinals and
closets may be cheaply made by the follow
ing formula and kept on hand in any guam
tity desired. To make ten gallons: Chlor-
mated lime 40 ounces; soft water 10 gall
Ions Thoroughly stir together in a suitable
vessel and let stand until clear. The undis-
solved lime will fall to the bottom and the
clear supernatant liquid may be used on the
desks. banisters, baseboards, etc The fresh
milky mixture, as we'll as the creamy sedi-
ment, may be used in urinalS, closets and
sinks. This disinfectant is not poisonous
dangerous. Chloride of lime of the best
quality may be purchased in quantity for .
cents a pound. The cost of the disinfectant
is therefore less than cents gallon. The
use of all patent or secret diSinfectants is
discouraged by. the State Board of Health.
Rule 4-School commissioners, school trus-
tees in cities and towns and township trus-
tees shall provide small drinking cups not
to hold over gill; Buckets or pals to dip
from are condemned, and reservoirs or
tanks of ample size. having large, easy
acting, free-fiowing faucets. shall be pro-
vided. When water Is drawn direct from
public water pipes or pumps, reservoirs or
tanks are OF course, not required. Ample
drainage facilities for the waste water shall
be provided and the pupils directed to al
low the cups to flow over when water is
drawn. Drinking cups shall be cleaned
and sterilized daily.
Rule 5-Slates are condemned. Paper tab
let's or pads shall be used instead RiVeted
metal boxes of tin or galvanized iron, with
hinged covers and OF proper size, shall be
provided for each schoolroom. These are
to receive pens and pencils. which must be
collected from children each day. ana shall
not be again distributed until the box and
all have been steriliZed by heating in al,
oven at above boiling heat for one-haIf
D
tees in cities and towns and township trus-
tees are directed to enforce this rule
Rule Cheating and Ventilating shall be
looked after with great care. Every school
room shall be provis5ed with a Thermometer
and temperature not exceeding IS degrees
Fahrenheit nor less than Go degrees be
maintained during school hours School
commissioners. school trustees in cities and
towns and township trustees are directed
to enforce this rule.
Rule 7-Janitors. wheen sweeping shall
use damp sawdust slightly sprinkle in
order to prevent dust. busting shall be
done with damp cloths. School commission.
ers school trustees III cities and towns and
township trustees are directed TO enforce
this rule.
Rule s-The water supply shall be pure
and wholesome, and closet or privy facili-
ties shall be unohjectionable. School com.
nisssoners, school trustees in cities and
towns and township trustees directed to
enforce this rule.
Rule 9-Spitting on the floor of any school,
building is absolutely forbidden. Teachers
and school authorities are directed TO en-
! force this rule.