The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-05-12

of the State by the State Board OF
Health. We propose to take up this
work in July. A copy OF the article
prepared for the local paper would
also be sent to the chairman OF the
local health committee. 1t would not
be necessary except in very few in
stances to make a request OF the edi-
tor to use this material, but in case
it became necessary, the women's
club could doubtless bring about the
desired result. AS rule newspaper
men are very obliging and only too
glad to publish what the public wants.
Or, the Municipal or County Com
mittees might contribute from time
to time articles on sanitation to the
local.press, of special interest to that
particular locality. Another useful
press or publicity service for the local
committees is to help increase the cir
culation of health literature, such as
the Monthly Bulletin, and leaflets on
preventable diseases when these dis
eases are prevalent in their own To-
calities. Third, through the schools
the local committee may be OF great
service. Beginning with the pub
lie schools next fall, the State De-
partment OF Education with the
State Board of Health will issue a
series of about sixty health talks
which will be embodied ii Two bulle-
tins. These bulletins VII be sent
free to every school teacher in the
State. The teacher will be asked to
use these health talks in about three,
five or ten minute talks per week, dur
ing the public school term. Now, II
the local committees would find out
i'm what school these health talks are
made; if they would bring the neces-
sary pressure to bear on any teacher
not using them by calling the teach
er's attention to their Importance,
and, if this was not sufficient, bring
ing the matter to the attention OF the
school committee and the county su-
perintendent of public instruction,
and if necessary, to the attention OF
the State Department OF Public In
struction, health instruction would
be very greatly extended. Where the
local committee cares to go further,
they may create a deep interest in
health studies by soliciting funds for
the purchase of charts and pictures
for the school room. Fifteen or twen-
ty dollars could be we'll spent in sup
plying school rooms with some of
the pictorial presentations OF the
health problem. An environment OF
this kind, constantly reminding the
child of the essential principles ofdis-
ease prevent ion, would emphasize the
Importance of the study of health
and add greatly to it's interest.
Fourth, the local committee may
secure the assistance of some local
physician and with his help, and in
company with the municipal health
officer make sanitary inspections OF
their town, noting particularly the
condition of diaries, slaughter houses,
the disposal of garbage, and the
number and condition OF surface
privies. II these inspections were
made quarterly and the results ofthe
inspection published in the local pa
pers or submitted as a report to the
city fathers, many lives would prob
ably be saved.
Fifth, the local committee could
assist in the eradication of the hook
worm disease by adopting a plan
now operated by some of the local
women's clubs in parts of Virginia.
There are many cases Of hookworm
diseases untreated by physicians, be-
cause the physician would have not
only to furnish his professional ser
vice, but the medicines. Now, if the
local committee would furnish free
the thymol and salts, many cases now
untreated, would be treated. The
medicine, when bought in bulk and
used for the INDECENT would probably,
cost not more than fifty cents per
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