Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-05-11

in its correlation with the abstrac
sciences and art. And there are tn
physical values, derived from the a
tivity of muscles and from the re
lease on nerve tension during per
iod of inactivity and of brain work
But the purpose is to consider tn;
moral, or ethical values, those whicl
concern the development of charact
er and tend toward right living. lie
US ask the question, What is there
IN domestic science to help to make
bitter girls and women?" And thar
is the question which must be put
TO all school work, since the
aim OF the school is to help to pro
duce better citizens, to stimulate in
telligent action.
have thought of the subject il
Two divisions, those values which al
feet the individual and those which
affect the community, but there is
| scarcely d distinction, since individ-
uals form society, and whatever in
fluences one must affect the other.
Formerly, the training of children in
Industrial and social activities was
the work Of the home. There the
girl learned skill in the performance
OF several industries and together
with that her social relationships.
But now, most of the industries have
left the home, so that this training
must be undertaken by a larger
group. And one of the means by
which the school attempts to fulfill
this service to the girl is by giving
four year course in domestic science
(Which term includes domestic art.)
Some Of the benefits of such a
course are the forming of useful
habits, of which one is cleanliness.
This is one of the first things i'm
pressed upon the domestic science
student In the sewing room, there
must be cleanliness of hands and of
materials, in the design class, only
PHNpOAo NcAAA NC ctCCCpISOt DuL 1t
is in the kitchen that most care must
be taken. The necessity not only of
clean food, but of clean utensils in
which to handle it; OF clean cup
boards in which to keep the utnsils
OF fixtures and furnishings that are
readily washable-aIl of these things
are impressed upon the laboratory
worker. And, too, that the penalty
for not enforcing these conditions
may be the growth of foul odors, of
fensiVe molds, and even Wasteful and
harmful bacteria in the moist warm
places where there is an absence
of light and abundance of food in
that we call dirt. The possibility of
danger to health and comfort through
plumbing that is imperfect or ill-kept
is much lessened by a knowledge of.
the complete system and the purpose
and structure of the various fixtures
Together with the habit of clean
illness must be learned the habit of
pany any work of the household, for
brain, hands, and feet must work to-
getheT Ii order to accomplish the
most with least energy and best re-
suits.
Every young mind must be i'm
pressed with the care of health as
a duty, and duty not only to self
but to society. We teach physiology
the functions of the many parts of
the human body and something of
their structure, but the lesson which
can produce the most good is that
which makes the girl comprehend the.
significance of good health, and
which teaches her the positive ne
cessity Of proper food correctly cook
ed, of suitable clothing, and of
house that is generously aired and
lighted. Then our physiology has
accomplished a worthy purpose. But
more than the idea is necessary, for
it must be put into practice and the
enforcement of that becomes the dut,
of the home and of the Individual
In the processes of cooking and
sewing, the work with the hands
is of real value. Suppose that in the
art class, the girl draws and colors
the design of a dress which she is
to make. She buys the materials,
cuts out, puts together and completes
the dress. The product is one of her
own mind and hand. She has develop
ed a new power within herslf, tho
power to produce, capacity to pla1
and to accomplish. Perhaps she
never before really finished a thing
of her own making, and she has
new respect for her own ability and
with this feeling there is aroused
ambition to do more things. There
is self-reliance which gives confidence
that other things are not impossible
and there is an incentive which is.
invaluable in the doing of future
work
Or, perhaps she makes a loaf of
bread, in the doing of which there is
the keen satisfaction that goes with
the completion Of something ones
own fingers have wrought. And
when her loaf of bread is made it is
her great pleasure to carry it home
that others may see and know her
accom- plishment AS a result of this,
there is, in her own estimation, if
not in that of her parents, a feeling
of her usefulness in the home work.
| With the knowledge of a few pro-