The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-10-19

qulres the placing of fire escapes on
our school buildings, but fails to com
pol proper observance of hygienic
laws in school construction, although
many more lives are endangered by
poor hygienic surroundings than by
fire. Physicians, as the guardians of
the public health, cannot escape their
large share of responsibility for such
condition.
The medical profession in our state
is Just now rolling up its sleeves in
preparation for struggle with con
sumption. a sanitarium has been es-
tablished by the Illinois State Medical
society near Ottawa to help a few
patients and to act As an object lesson
to the State. The Illinois state board
Of health is distributing freely litera
ture of the highest character as to
clearness and simplicity of statement,
with the desig of disseminating knowl-
edge with regard to prevention of this
dread disease. 1t has struck me as
peculiarly unfortunate, however, that
we have in large measure missed
considering the greatest breeding
place of the disease-the school roOm-
and are losing the services OF the
greatest dissemination of knowledge on
such a subj ect, the pupil: since he not
only carries his knO~ledge home, but
in few years is the head OF a house
hold. where his knowledge will be OF
some effect
would propose then two important
aspects of this subject as especially
worthy of our attention. FIRST the
proper construction of orr school build
ings with regard to the prevention OF
tuberculosis; second thorough in.
structon of teachers, pupils and JAM
tors in a few important rules regarding
tubercle infection, together with
enough of the pathology of the disease
70 show their reasonableness. Under
the first head would come, as OF hrst
imnortance. proper ventilating ana
LIGHTING, since there are no better
remedies for the cure, as well as the
prevention of tuberculosis, than fresh
air and sun light. Next should come
tho consideration of the dust ques'io"'
FOO much care cannot be useu III
nalino the floor absolutely smooth
and with no crack for the collection OF
dine, .nntum, etc. A well laid floor OF
,.,o,.,er sawed oak or hard maple, well
dressed. is of infinite Importance 10 'ie
h,,1,h Of the school, since slcl l'oor
Affords uonidus of disease germs 'u'
,nuitor usually sweeps the iioor eao,,
evening stirring up cloud OF dusC iu'i
of evil possibilities. lie shouio sweep
on we'll dressed floor with saw dust
vet in some antseptic solution AS /"
-,1,i,nte for the hard wood lloor there
:. inlaid linoleum, which, II iaid WIN
~ all cemeUbeu loih.''
Goo, which could be most easily moPP'
al with an antiseptic solution o'lce
:. u.i1l wear a number of years, the
desks may be fastened down Oh IT,
rhora * the advantage IN iihoie""i
chat if i, much less noisy thah oo"'''
floor The walls should not nave 'ne
ronpb finish, which is so popular out
GLAZED finish of a neutral tlnt' 50 'n"'
j. NAV be restful to the eyes anu az 'Ao
.a,ne time afford no hiding place ior
dn.t such walls can be washed down
onco a wear at least. Inc JahiIor
'h,n,d he instructed that dust ana as
oneo are almost synonymous terms
since dust so frequently carries with IL
,he ,articular bacillus causing cop-
,ontion. Three times year. ourin"
'a.ation the rooms may be Thoroughly
disinferted with formaldehyde or sui
phur.