The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-06-20

PUBIC IN the principle practice of
hygiene. " 1T is very impor-
tant," he said, that hygiene be
taught IN our normal schools, be-
cause the chief burden of the
work rests upon the teachers.
The pub &c schools furnish the
most promising solution of the
question. Not only is this true
because the child's mind is more
easily influenced, but because
the greatest number of people
can be reached in this way"
After hearing this address and
a little later an address given by
Senator Robert L. Owen, of OK
lahoma, on Conservation of
Human Life and Energy as
NationalAsset, we could but rea-
lie that we as aState and Nation
are not giving enough time and
consideration to improvement of
health conditions. Senator Ow-
en- is graceful and polished |
speaker, and his audience was
often thrilled with his oratorical
power. His Iodian features were
noticeable. His speech was an
argument in advocacy of his bill
now pending in the United States
Senate, which provides for the
establishment Of a department
OF public health at Washington
in charge of a cabinet officer. It
would be difficult, he said TO
exaggerate the importance Of
the conservation Of our national
resources, of our forests, Of our
coal mines, mineral wealth, wa
ter powers, and the conservation
of the fertility of our lands. But
the conservation of our National
vitality, and our National eff
cheney is far more important.
The National loss of human life
from preventable causes would
be amazing and would be incred-
ible if it had not been proved
as scientific fact upon the most
eminent authority"
We lose 600. 900 people per an
mum whose lives could be saved.
The total number who died from
gun-shot wounds, homicide, and
accident in the Spanish-Ameri-
can war2was 1920. We lose i, 700
every day in the year whose lives
could be saved under proper con-
ditions. Estimating the fnan-
cial loss OF these lives to cur
country at So, 500 a piece, it
would be a loss of 81, 900, 600, 600
,, per annum- twice the gross Ma
tronal income every year. Be-
sides this loss. said he. we have
another nearly as great-the loss
from preventable sickness. In
one single block in New York
' city 158 cases of tuberculosis
were recorded.
: The speaker outlined his plar
S for a department Of public health
> to rank on an equal basis will
: all Of the other departments AMI
: in conclusion he asked each on
to go home anu stir up a senti
S ment in favor of his bill.
;, OF all the subjects discussed
: agricultural education received
l. the greatest consideration. Eacl
l. afternoon was devoted to tn
J. discussion of this subject. Tn
l. members of the conference wer'
e provided with tables, tablet
u and pencils. Each speaker O
e the programme was allowe
u twelve minutes to present hi
II subject, and then time was al
l. lowed to ask questions, and
s. general discussion TO lowe
er Some of the topics discussed
If How can agricultural educatlo
Is be taught to the best advantage
~ % In the public schools, (2) /
rs the normal schools, 81 In tn
e. agricultural colleges. | never sa
&c a more interested or a MOI
lg anxious assembly Of men WI
IS were willing and ready
OF adopt the subject OF agl
ny culture in their schools, b.
IN the question was how could tn
II be done in the most effective wa
IL Prof. F. L. Stevens, of RI
A. eigh, contended that at lea
he half of the nature study OF t
e elementary public schools shou
be on agriculture. and that mu
IN of the arithmetics taught IN t
mt school should instruct the chi
nd how to calculate the value
les crops, and in this way the CHI
he would get agricultural ide
tn through elementary arlthmet
1g. He also advocated the farme
yh. institutions and boys corn clu|