Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-08-14
SCHOOL SANITATION.

SCHOOL SANITATION.
The sanitation and cleanliness of
school buildings is important to the
health of the pupil. In a recent cir
cular State Superintendent stockwell
sets forth some of the matters cal
ling for the especial attention of
school directors:
The question of school hygiene and
sanitation at present occupying
very prominent place in the minds of
those who are interested in the ply
steal we'll being of the children of
this country. One of the greatest as
sets that this country has is the pub
lie health and every effort should be
made by those who have in their
charge the future citizens of this
country to conserve the health Of
these future citizens
Never has there been a time in
this country when so much has been
said or written upon the subject.
The daily papers and current maya
zines are full of articles upon this
subject and upon ways and means Of
preventing and combating disease.
The purpose of this circular is to
call you'd attention to the need Of
greater vigilance on our part as SUI
perintendents and school officers for
the care of the health of the children
of this state. A great deal has been
said heretofore with reference to the
matter of proper ventilation of
schoolfbuildings. am glad to note
that there is an increasing interest
in this subject, yet I regret exceed
ingly that there will be hundreds, yes
thousands of school buildings in
i. North Dakota occupied by children
during the coming year in which
there is no adequate means of venti-
lation. If we are to succeed in the
warfare against tuberculosis, it is alb
solutely essential that we pay greater
attention to the ventilation of these
buildings where a large number of
persons congregate fol a consider
able length of time, and certainly no
building is occupied for a greater
lenght of time, by greater
number of persons than the schoo,
building. urge upon you the neces-
sity at this time when plans are be-
ing made for the coming school year
to make some effort to see that all
buildings are properly ventilated,
In connection with this matter of
warfare against tuberculosis, desire
also to call your attention to the fact
that the law in this state now in
force requires that all children in the
public schools be taught the nature
ofptuberculosis and ways and means
of preventing and combating this dis
ease. I sincerely trust that this pro-
vision of the law will receive proper
attention. In this connection as well
I beg to suggest that while it may
seem hardship, no pupil or teacher
suffering from tuberculosis ought to
be allowed in our public schools. The
lives and health Of the greater num-
hor ROD mr. hn
a mistaken sympathy for the individ-
ual.
Another matter which seems to call
for attention is the common drinking
cup which is now recognized as" one
OF the greatest sources of condemna
ton. I believe that all public places
be supplied, in some way, with indi.
vilua1 drinking cups, and it certain
" seems to me that we who are
charged with the education of young
people should be the leaders in any
movement which will have tendency
to improve the public health most
earnestly urge that some steps be
taken before the opening Of the COM
ing school year to see that all pupils
are provided With the individual
drinking cups Il know that there are
some schools in the state already
where these drinking cups are pro-
vided and / very much hope that this
matter viii be taken up seriously.
The individual drinking cup, to-
.gether with the closed receptacle for
the purpose Of holding water, will do