The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-11-06
DAY AT
THE WONAN'S CLUB

The observance of Mothers Day"
at the Woman's Club Saturday after
noon, was greatly enjoyed by a large
and enthusiastic audience Several
club women from distant states were
present.
After a short business meeting, the
president announced that Mrs, r a
Burford, chairman Of the educational
committee, would take charge of the
meeting.
Before Introducing the speakers or
the program, Mrs. Burford made a few
Introductory remarks, saying that her
committee regretted that the grass.
shrubs and flowers which had been
planted on the school campus had been
destroyed. She spoke Of the crying
need Of the hour, larger and better
ventilated school buildings with mod
ern equipment, and larger play
grounds.
She requested the teachers to give
short talks each week on hygiene, and
TO devote more time TO the study of
Florida history. That it would be
delightful feature of the school work
to have a children's grand historical
pageant, beginning with the founding
of st. Augustine up TO the present day.
Miss Nellie Stevens, principal Of the
primary school. was then introduced
She made a very forceful address
which was received with great ap-
plause. She said that the subject,
The Medical Examination of School
Children" was such a broad one, she
would only take one phase of it, the
ultimate end. Good citizenship" That
Ia cho fn ha
child at its birth to cooperate with
| father, mother, sister or brother in the
home, in the school, in the church and
in the town. To give up his own in
| terest when necessary for the public
| good. That cooperation was the sec
| ret of success. She emphasized the
development of the social side of
child's nature, that this would develop
a public spirit and make good citi-
| zen.
| She thought that medical examina-
ton of school children should be made
compulsory, that the physical condi
! ton of a child had much to do with
| its mental, spiritual and moral char
acter. Dispositions of hundreds of
! children are ruined daily by defective
! eyesight, deafness, hookworm and 9TH
| er ailments. She suggested that the
| board of health require the parents to
| have their children examined before
entering school. and the result of such
examination entered on the school re-
cord book. She also requested the
mothers to cooperate with the teach
ers by asking questions about the
health talks given every week. and to
put them into practice.
| DR.. Van Hood read an excellent pa
per He said that the board of health
has made it possible for the examina-
ton of school children TO be put on a
practical basis. All of the physicians
We're ready and willing to examine the
! children, free of charge, said services
to be pro rated and not to interfere
with other practice. He spoke at
length upon the terrible infection by
association, germs of various diseases
! He referred to the free clinics that are
being established in the northern citis,
| with nurses, physicians and apparatus
for the examination of school child
rem.
DR. Hood was followed along the
same line of thought by DR.. w. K.
Lane. the eye, ear and throat special
list, who has recently moved to Ocala.
Rev. ]. B. Ley was the next speaker
was listened to with intense interest.
His remarks were not only full of pity
and pathos because Of the lamentable
situation, but were sustained by facts
and figures which were appalling. Ma
rion county has $4,000 invested in
school buildings, and $4,000 in a
a courthouse and Jail It costs $500
a year to keep a criminal and only
s7.77 to train a child. Which is the
better investment. school houses or
Ijails? Train child the way he should
go, the twig is bent, etc. He urged
that we have better schools and a less
number of jails, then we shall have
better citizens and fewer criminals.
| Miss Taylor then gave a talk on the
need of fire drills and fire protection.
The law requires it. 1t would be too
late to enforce it after a terrible fire
where perhaps, many lives would be
lost.
/ Mrs. Hooker announced that Mrs
Van Hood, chairman of the health
committee, would have charge of the
sale of stamps and that the proceeds
would be added to the fund for public
play grounds.
Mrs. Stovall was added to the health
committee.
Mrs. Van Hood is very deeply in
terested in the years work. She has