The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-04-08
AIR SCHOOL,,
Marked Success of First One Es-
tabliShed In United States.
WINDOWS KEPT WIDE OPEN.

Nearly All Of Twenty Pupils Studying
at Providence Showed Signs Of tn.
b~sreulesis or Had censumptivs Par
snts-Warm Cotton Bags For Legs.
While the thermometer lowered in
the vicinity Of zero q few days ago
twenty girls and boys. pupils Of the
FIRST fresh air school In the United
States. sat snugiy and warmly wrap
ped in their cotton bags in the old
Meeting street school at Providence,
R. I. They apparently were as com.
Portable as the thousands Of pupils in
the other schools In the city despite
the fact that the temperature maintain
ed in the room was at no time above
Is degrees.
The public school authorities are en-
thusiastic e. the success that the
fresh air school has achieved in a few
weeks existence. At a meeting Of the
school board Superintendent Small re-
ported that he was more than pleased
with the outlook and expressed the
opinion that the fresh air school will
be one Of the most beneficial public in
situations Providence ever has had.
Already. he said, the children, living
practically all day in the cool. fresh
air, are beginning to show signs OF i'm
provement. Little faces that were
sallow and pinched a few weeks ago
have a healthy flush, and children who
We're too tired to play are beginning to
show some interest in life. All Of this,
Mr.. Small told the school board, is
what the fresh air school has accom-
plished.
Mr.. Small expects to see the day
when at least three Of his small pupils
who are now suffering with consump-
ton will have been cured.
The school was founded at the insti-
cation Of the League For the Suppress
sion of tuberculosis, and it is primari-
" intended not only to fight the spread
Of the white plague. but also to teach
the children the value of fresh air as a
health producer and destroyer Of the
| germs of disease.
The school is under the direction of
Mrs. Mary Appleton. The pupils were
selected from children who were suf-
fering with some disease which dis.
qualified them from attending other
public schools. Each was subjected to
a physical examination by a physician
before he or she vas admitted. When
their names were placed on the roll
book, they became at once patients and
pupils.
Ten children answered the roll Oh
the first day, but before the week end
ed this number had been increased tt
twenty. Some Of them have attended
other schools, but others never llat
been within the walls of an institutio:
Of that kind. Many of the children
showed signs of consumption; other,
have parents who have had that dis
ease; others have tuberculosis of til,
bones. One has heart trouble.
A record Of the condition Of the chill
dren is taken from time to time. ans
such suggestions as the doctors may
think necessary for the improvement
Of their health are carried out by tn,
teachers.
The schoolroom is on the SECOND
floor Of the building. The south sid,
Of the oom facing on Meeting street
Is wide open to allow sunshine anl
fresh air to enter. Five swinging win
dows are caught up by means Of ;
rope and pulleys and IAN be lowered
in case Of rain or snow. They are 81
adjusted that. while fresh air Is al
ways circulating through the room
there is at no time a draft.
The furniture In the room is Of tn
same kind as is used in the other pub
lie school buildings. The room is heat
ed by a big round stove In the center.
In order that as much protection a
possible may be given the children
they are allowed to wear their coat
and hats while in the schoolroom
Their legs are incased in warm cotto,
bags, which are drawn up as far a
the waist and then tied. II the chilt
feels cold Notwithstanding this protec
ton, the teacher gives him permission
to sit by the stove. In cas- the fee
get cold despite the bag, soapston'
warmers arc placed under them.
For the rest. the scholars are in
structed in the studies that are laugh
In other public schools. The session
are from 8 to HAS a. m. and from
12:45 to 5 p. m.
Window Cleaning In College Course.