Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-02-15
FIND Students
NOT ALL clean
LACK OF BODILY CLEANLINESS
ONE GRAVE SCHOOL FAULT.
EDUCATING The PARENTS
Necessity of Sanitation and Public Hy-
giene l. Important Factor To-
ward Health.

Working under the new arrange
mcnt for the inspection Of the stu
dent health of the public schools of
Tulsa, the health department has COW
cred all of he schools Of Tulsa with
the exception Of Central, West Tulsa,
Kendall and Dunbar These win be
looked after as rapidly as possible and
the proper recommendations made iu
all cases whore II is found that pupils
are suffering from some form OF de-
feet
| According TO the statement of DIR,
I D. L, Wadsworth, superintendent of
health, yesterday in none of the diff
ferent schools were there found in
stances of pupils suffering from lack
of clothing or from a lack of noursh-
/ ing food. Several cases closely APP
preached those wherein proper food
/ IS lacking, but none of them were
definitely placed under that head.
The main defects found were with
the teeth, eyes and throats. The num-
/ Der Of these cases were surprising to
he health department. and steps viii
| he taken TO correct the unwarranted
| conditions existing.
The most startling thing we
found in the inspections so far has
been in respect to the bodily cleanli-
ness Of the pupils, said Dr. Wads-
worth yesterday. IF some OF the
children hal taken baths within the
present school term their bodies
showed little evidence of it. A dirty
body isn't conducive to health, and II
3 wonder many who are on the
school enrolment have not fallen prey
TO some of the diseases which have
been in the schools this winter on ac-
count of this lack Of a proper scrub
once in a while at least
The health department was not
long in ordering all those who ap-
peared to have dire repugnance Of
water to take plunge before again
coming back to school.
The comprehensive and thorough
system Of inspection, coupled to the
little cards issued to the students
found to be suffering from defects
which have had hand raised against
Them by the health department, has
proved to be working in good shape
since its installation several weeks
ago.
Not only has It developed into a
thorough good health crusade
among the pupils, but It is becoming
an instruction to them as well as to
their parents The fathers and
mothers are being taught the neces-
sity of sanitation and public hygiene.
a little is continually added to the sys-
TEN as the good points are noted.
The greatest obstacle II Is given, is
in the education of the parents IN the
necessity for hygiene. Many times
when a pupil Is barred from the
school room because some member Of
the family has "a contagious disease,
It is hard for the parents to under
stand the purpose of the quarantine.
Under the present system, when a
teacher notices symptoms Of some dis
case in pupil q doctor is called, who
examines the child and sends a reg
ular printed form blank, with u de-
ecription or the disease, TO the par
ent advising them to consult their
family physician. Before the child Is
again allowed to enter school, the at
tending physician must report to the
anlth superintendent that the pupil
's in condition to enter The pupil
Is then give1 certificate which, when
presented to the teacher, permits II
30 re-enter school
Not only are the pupils being given
n general education In the preserv-
Ing of their health, but the teachers
are being taught the fundamental
principles OF how to care for the body
and also TO learn the different symp-
toms and methods to detect diseases
In children
Not nearly all has been accomplish
ed that will be after the system has
lad actige practice Tor n length OF
time. New points will naturally
come, and those deserving recognition
win be adopted.