Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-17
IGNORANCE OF HYeIENIc LAWS
BY EDITH NJ. RICE. r. N.

Not the least among the nurses
troubles is the annoyance experienced
by the ignorance of the laity concern
ing hygienic principles. In spite of
all that is being spoken and written
concerning hygiene and its relation to
human life, there still exists a de-
plorable ignorance, and among people
from whom we should expect higher
degree of intelligence.
These are a few instances:
In the first place the kitchens in
stead of being the most attractive
spots in the home are invariably the
least attractive. Tinware, agatewarU,
groceries, conglomeration of clothL,
are around in hopeless confusion. The
kitchen seems to be place to avoid
and get out of as soon as possible by
the ordinary housewife. If nurse
wishes to find a little soda or a spoon
full of sugar 1t is usually necessary to
hunt through an array of boxes, un-
labeled tin cans, paper bags and draw
ers. There is an absence of system.
order and regularity which makes
kitchen work SO Objectionable.
Cooking utensils can be purchased
now very reasonably. In the ordinary
household there is no excuse for not
having plainly of dishes. strainers,
stew pans, etc., which make cooking
so HluCH edSleI anu PtCdo0htCAs 4 ACtSJg
attractive dishes, too, are cheap. With
a little forethought a pantry and kit
chen can be models of neatness. A
little white oilcloth tackled on the
shelves, plenty of dishcloths instead of
one, which is supposed to answer all
purposes from lifting frying pans to
polishing silver and glassware; labeled
cans of uniform size for the groceries.
holders for stove, table which drains
into the sink are simple suggestions
which, IL carried out, would transform
our kitchens into the most attractive
spots in the house, where germs fnd
no place to grow in corners and on
dishcloths.
The most deplorable ignorance, how
ever is in regard to the care and feed
ing of children. A nurse was visiting
in a home not long ago where the
young wife and mother was very FOND
of reading light literature; every spare
moment was devoted to the above pur-
suit. One dear little boy graced the
home the idol of the parents. Satur-
day night came. Now, thought the
nurse, he will surely have his bath.
Eight, nine, ten p. m. passed. No bath.
The mother read on and on while the
poor little chap fell asleep on the sofa
uncared for. In this same home hun
dreds of dollars had been spent on
doctors bills, but the simple hygienic
rules of living were entirely over
looked.
Another neglect is the teeth. Parents
will buy all kinds of toys for the little
ones. and never think of teaching them
to play with the tooth brush or to
keep their nails in order. On the car
the other day a very bright little girl
entered with her mother; her hair was
curled. her dress was of silk made In
the latest fashion, but the black finger
nails and the half-cared-for skin be-
spoke louder than words the lack OF
personal attention.
Children are fed with all kinds OF
things and according to what they cry
for. 1t is well known fact that tWo-
thirds of the diseases of children are
due to digestive disturbances, but
parents allow children to eat candy,
peanuts, bananas, irrespective of the
age of the child, the time of day or
gastric capacity. Everything goes. the
results are obvious-fatalities occur
every day because some one wanted
the little dear to have just little OF
this and a little of that. Bright babies
and children are continually being sac
rificed to ignorance while the parents
wiring their hands over the tiny coffins
and wonder why the Lord took them.
Our creator has given laws of healtn
which are inexorable II these are
broken, have we any right to say 1t is
his will that any of our little ones
should perish?
What we need today is not more
wealth, but more education, more In
telligent mothers and fathers who win