The Republican journal., 1898-07-07
CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP co.
SAN FRANCISCO. Cal
LOUISVILLE. Ey. NEW YORK. NY
Sanitary Conditions il Our Schools
Miss Jennie Simpson, at tue Bridgton W
c. I. U, Mothers Meeting.l

MISS JENNIE simpson, al the BfluSIon w .
c. I. U, Mothers Meeting.l
1t has been said that the end of edu-
cation is to permit each individual to
attain the most complete development of
his body, mind and heart In other
words there is a physical education, an
intellectual education and moral edu-
cation, each distinct from the other
Though distinct, they complement and
are dependent upon each other and
should make one harmonious whole.
In the words OF Horace Mann THE great
est happiness and the greatest usefulness
can never be attained without that sound
ness OF physical organization which con
ters the power of endurance, and that
uninterrupted enjoyment Of health which
ransoms the whole OF our time from sick
ness. On the broad and firm foundation
OF health alone can the loftiest and most
enduring structures of intellect be reared
and if on these sublime heights the light
Of duty and benevolence-of love to God
and love to man can be kindled it will
send forth a radiance to illumine and bless
mankind -
school sanitation treats in the first place
OF the different material conditions Of the
school buildings location, construction,
lighting, heating, etc. Weare all familiar
with these, and the evils arising.
school sanitation in tile second place adj
dresses itself directly to the student, car
I'M for his wants and tracing for him line
of conduct by which lie may preserve a
strong and vigorous health Three Of the
greatest needs Of children are fresh air, ex-
ercise and cleanliness. Some Of the best
modes OF ventiIating are the iacketed stove
and tire place. In our common schools 4
very easy and inexpensive ventilator may
be made by fitting strip Of wood into the
top Or bottom Of the window, So as to all
low free passage Of air upwards into the
room without exposing any to draughts
At recess and noon the windows should be
thrown open SO that an entire change Of
air can be made.
An active child will take a sufficient
amo mt of exercise outside of school and
tor this reason some people say physical
culture in a school is a waste OF time. By
these exercises not only il the brain rested
but correct position anC manner OF walk
ing is taught which not only improves the
appearance but the health. One OF the
greatest benefits is that a correct manner
OF breathing is taught. \ large percent
age of people breath through their mouths
and some have done 50 50 long that their
nasal passages have become clogged with
abnormal growths very much ike a vacat
ed country lane grown up4to weeds, and
their threats and lungs have become con
gested because of the ntiltered and I'M
tempered air they have inhaled.
Cleanliness belongs chiefly in the fami-
ly, but since some children come to school
dirty attention has to b. given to it 1t
was thought that this question was solved
when soap, towels and 81 onge We're pro
vided in the kindergarten schools of New
\ ork, but as it was proved that skin d s.
eases We're spread in this way, it still re-
mains serious question. Unless soap
leaves and separate towels can be provid-
ed, which is inexpensive, there seems to
be no other way than sending the children
home and demonstrating with the parents
1t would be well if children could be
taught that not only the exterior should
be clean but that the mouth should be
ceansed and the teeth brushed. Since
the mouth is the receptacle of all manner
OF bacteria all such practices as chewing
pencils and exchanging gum should be
discouraged.
The pupils often require individual at
tention. A child may not be sick and
still not be well. A teacher in school
of the poorest children in Boston got
thoroughly discouraged IN teaching one
of her pupils and at last exclaimed in
desperation, "What makes you SO dull. -
II nj so hungry, want something to eat, -
was the reply. Investigation showed that
the child really came nearly every day
hungry to school. Though this is an
extreme case it is often the case that in
attention and dullness are caused by
physical defects. Examples have been
found OF children who were inattentive
because they could not hear what was
being sad and were consequently thought
dull. This deafness is often not noticed
at home because the child will draw
nearer if he does not hear and then ne is
accustomed to the home voices. Children S
ears can be tested in a very easy way.
Place child in chair and blindfold.
Have one the older pupils hold ruler
horizontally to the ear. Place a watch
close to the ear and move along the ruler.
Have the child tell you when he &c asses to
hear the ticking. 1t will be necessary to
explain that just before the ticking final
ly ceases, he will lose it for a second
hear it again distinctly, then lose it for
good. Small children are SO easily
excited that it may be we'll to introduce
it as play, saying 'Now let see how far
away we can hear the watch tick''
Mistakes in copying from the board and
IN reading are not always fault of the
child but defect in eyesight. Myopia or
near sight has increased alarmingly in our
schools in the past few years. This is
largely due to poor lighting and arrange
ment OF seats and boards. OF course great
care should be taken that books are en-
ployed which have plain print. Near
slghtedness is easily recognized but astig-
matlsm, which is also prevalent, is not. To
test for astigmatism arrange strips of black
paper on a piece of card board foot
square. The strips are arranged about a
common center like the spokes of wheel.