New-York tribune., 1901-07-31
EXA INNING LITTLE ONES.
WHAT HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE SEND
ING THE FRESH AIR FUND
CHILDREN AWAY.

There was much scrubhing and cleaning OF chill
dren in various parts OF this city Monday all on
Tribune Fresh Air Fund sent into the country yes
terday and will send tomorrow. Soap and water
made acquaintance Monday with little faces ana
necks and arms that more or less unused 10 H.
Half a hundred little boys s1uealed Whlie the par
Der clipped their hair 10 the scalp Several htt!e
girls sacrificed their flowing locks that they might
be kept out of the country.
All children who sent into the country for
a two weeks visit with friends OF The Tribune
must be in perfect health and as clean as soap can
make them The rule is absolute. and it Is rigidy
enforced. 1t is obvious that 1t would never do to
spread the diseases of the city among the country
folk. That all possibility of such thing may be
removed the Fund employs medical examiner
who looks over every child not less than twenty
four hours before the party starts.
The Tribune'S health officer, DR.. Maria NJ Nlnton,
was busy Monday Examinations were held in
various parts of the city of ali sorts of children
In the morning the examiner was on the East SIDE
among the Hebrew children. In the afternoon a
hundred German children who live in Harlem tene-
ment houses put through the mill. Still later
in the afternoon the physician examined large
party of italian children from Little Italy.
The German children gathered In a church at
Lexington-ave. and East e-hundred-and-thlrd-
st. They came early. and waited with patience for
DR. Einton There were several girls in the party
who had been Tribune Fresh Air children before,
and they the centre of attraction for the
other children. some of whom had never seen real
country in their lives.
The country is the most beautiful place you can
think Of" said a girl who made a visit there
last summer. She held to the word country as
though it was something sacred.
rs it as big as Central Park?' the whispered
question of a tenement house child who knew all
about making playhouse on the fire escape, but
absolutely nothing about the fields
Il should say 1t was cried the girl who had been
there before why, you go through country after
country on the train before you get to the country
How many countries will so through going
TO Naples?' demanded a little boy.
"Oh, lots of them. So many that got tired
counting last year. There are cows, the things
milk comes from; and pigs like those In the
meat market only alive and with skins on, and
hay stacks
What is hay stacks?' was the question which
interrupted
Then Dr. Vinton came in and the children sub
sided. They formed in line and were ready for the
examination.
stick out your tongue and say All" command
ed the physician.
I'm looking for dphtheria spots she said by
way of explanation.
mother brought UP pretty child of six Both
well dressed. the mother almost well as
the physician
Tel me about this case?" she asked of the
motherly looking who had selected the
party
Germans put out their hest foot first These
PpoI-
have to eat. They put everything on their backs
and nothing in their stomachs.''
The child was given a ticket.
Then came tall girl who looked TO be over
twelve years of age.
How old you?'' asked the examiner.
III be twelve Tomorrow said the girl, who
trembling with fright for fear she would be
considered too Old Twelve Is The Tribune's age
limit This is my last chance to get to see the
country" she added. choking down a sob. Il
never could go before"
Well. you're lucky to be older. or I'd have to
refuse you said the examiner. and the girl went
away happy.
why didn't she say she was eleven and run
risk" asked the reporter wOnderingly.
German girls will not lie said the worker.
The last examination of the day was held at the
Union Settlement, No. 2S7 East One-hundred- and
fourth-st. Sorrow struck into the hearts of more
than one child. because they were not clean or in
good enough health to pass the examination.
This child cannot go announced the examiner
after looking over pale faced girl.
oh, let go to the country. walled the child
bursting into tears IN go home and get cleaner.
she offered with more sobs.
Another girl was taken from the reserve list to
fill her place. and the obvious happiness OF the
fortunate second choice drove the sadness out of
the examiners face.
In most parts OF the city it is necessary to have
a list of ten for some girls always fail to
pass the examination. Experienced workers gen.
orally manage to get their children into shape
Before the children present themselves for eXami-
nation their addresses sent to the examining
physician, who compares them with the Board of
Health list of contagious diseases. No child is
taken from a tenement house in which a recent
case OF Contagion has been reported.