The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-04-13
NATIONAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.
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child are separated and consequent
neglect. are probably chief.
It is specially important that these
facts be emphasized because we in
cline to believe more care is taken
by parents to protect their children
from acute infectious diseases than
from the inherent disorders.
How much more often do mothers
Il Ike strenuous precautions against
exposure to whooping cough, measles
and the like than against pneumonia
bronchitis. diarrheal troubles and
such non-contagious disorders Yet
the infectious diseases causes only :
per cent of infant deaths. the re-
mining % per cent being due to non
conta gious troubles
From the care of infants in the
home to the defense of the children
of school age is natural step. That
children in physique. mentality and
morals are wonderfully susceptible 10
modifying influences is a mighty rea-
son for placing emphasis at this age.
Most attention should be paid to
moral education. otherwise the ten
u
er than a good citizen
The body must be a we'll construct
ed. we'll preserved implement On
this. good health chiefly depends, and
remember. good health is the ma
ton and the individuals first great
asset.
Our department of agriculture has
expended $4GoeHono in ten years past
for plant ana animal protection and
promotion. but not one cent did Con-
gress ever vote for eradicating pneu-
monia among human beings.
Eight millions of us will die OF
this disease, six millions more from
diseases of heart and kidneys, and
we accept the whole matter with a
resignation like that of the Hindoo
who sits in the midst OF filth and
calmly awaits the coming cholera.
Yet why blame the government
What have we done about it our
selves? How much do We know Of
the real needs of our children in
school as regards the conditions
there which daily affect their health
and life?
Nicholas Murray Butler reminds us
that Sound educational theory today
finds no place for any mental train
ing which overlooks the relation Of
mind and body in hygienie and ethi-
cal import.
In the home, extra care should be
exercised that food is of the muscle
end brain building kind and that it is
taken regularly and with care as to
quantity.
School children, most of all, need
much sleep. Twelve hours daily
during the early school years. and
nine hours at the end. Study is par
ticularly nerve taxing work; sleep is
the time for recharging the neurotic
storage battery.
Myopia and vertebral defects are
common enemies of school children
The girls especially should have close
and intelligent care by mothers and
the family physician.
The need of dentistry among school
children is especially marked Out OF
$50 students examined by me in our
schools 6S5, or over so per cent were
found to need immediate dental treat
ment.
An entire paper could be devoted 10
this one phase of school health It
is not only for the sake of the dental
benefits that il is necessary DR.. S.
=. Tracy has called attention to its
Importance to avoid septic infection
in cases of abdominal surgery. also
in preventing pneumonia after anes-
thesia
This whole matter is important,
because as the mouth is a gateway
to the whole body. it may become a
gateway of evil since from 1900 to
l40o0 bacteria are breathed in every
hour by healthy persons. These
might be added to by a diseased
mouth or it in turn might become
further infected.
Closely allied to school cases are
those which advise and supervise thC