The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-15

The State Board Of Health Of South Car
blina is interesting itself in a text book on
sanitation and prevention Of diseases. 1t
is the purpose of the Board to introduce
q text book into the curriculum of our pub
lie schools.
1t is well that the Board of Health is
behind the movement, otherwise nothing
would come Of it, for the reason that no
one but the doctor realizes the dangers to
which we are exposed each day through
lack Of sanitation or improper sanitary
regulations.
1.-THE people could only see the matter
in the same light in which our physicians
see it something would be done toward
lettering the conditions. The Board real
ICES that it is hard to teach an old dog
new tricks, and that while it may be
difficult to get the present generation to
introduce a campaign for better santa
ton and ~stricter adherence to the laws Of
health, yet the timeto begin on the COM
ing generation is now
Lessons learned while the child is in
school are not soon forgotten. Lessons
make a deeper impress upon the pupil
while heis in the grades than at any other
time. Realizing this, the plants to intro
duce a text book into the grades, a book to
be taught just as any other study.
knowledge OF first aid to the injury is
all well enough, is even more, it is necessa-
ry; the knowledge Of how to treat diseases
is very important to US but the knowledge
Of how to avoid contracting diseases is Of
still more Importance.
This is to be one Of the purposes Of this
new text book, to show thepupils how, by
observing a few simple laws a great many
diseases may be avoided.
In order to do this the text Of germs,
giving pictures from photograph Of the
more common germs, such as the pus-
forming germs, the germs in contagious
diseases, ~tetanus, etc. At the same time
specimens Of the germs are to be shown
the pupils through powerful microscopes
where sucnr-ument can be had.
Such q course would be interesting to
even older persons had they the opportun-
it to take it. To see the tteeming millions
Of bacteria in q glass Of water is enoughto
show a person that water may seem to be
as clear as crystal and yet be polluted
with poison. 1t is also sufficient to put a
person on his guard as to his water sup
ply. One peep at a drop Of water through
q microscope will show any man, no mat
ter incredulous he may be that he should
look well to his water supply and see to it
that it Is never polluted. Sanitary wells
and unsanitary wells will be discussed
n the new text book.
Agreat many things will be treated Of
n the book, Of which the average pupil
knows nothing, ami it Is to be presented
In such a way the pupil will appropriate
the knowledge and profit byit for life.
The move ise good one. The Board OF
Health is starting in the right place, and
1t is to be hoped that it will meet with the
proper encouragement that is due,
from other authorities.
Many parents may see no necessity OF
their having to get such a book for their
children, but the work must not stop on
this account. The authorities must see to
it that we are protected from the ravages
Of disease and no small %prejudices should
be allowed to stand between them and
this end.
Some parents think that there is no
need for the child to study anything that
they themselves did not study-that
what was good enough for them is good
enough for the children.
The manifestation Of such a spirit marks
a mar devoid Of progress. but such an one
must not stand in the way Of general pro-
gress, he should be overruled and this is
what the authorities may expect to be a
part OF their duty.
We shall have made wonderful strides
when we begin to put as much
thought, on how to keep
from having adesire as we do on how to
cure 1t after we have contracted the dis
ease. When we once begin such a cru
SADIE VIC may expect to see our expecta-
ton Of life increase and our death rate
lower. Certainly this end is worthy any
means, solet US all lend a helping hand
while those in authority are striving for
our own welfare and that Of our children's
children.