Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-08-15
HYGENIC CONDITIONS
IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Paper Written by DR.. A. D. Cooley for the Bear
Lake Teachers Association, and Published
at Request of County Supt. Hart.

AA VI US recognize the TACT, OF
course, that the economic prosperity
Of nation depends largely upon the
state of health in which its inhabi-
tants are maintained. Illness and
death are of Importance not merely
to the individual concerned, or to
his Immediate family and friends,
but every individual citizen must of
necessity bear a part in the progress
OF a nation. and any disablement that
interiors with his or her productive
ness reacts upon the entire corporate
body.
Statistlcians have estimated that
each case Of typhoid fever in any of
our communities represents an aver
age money loss of several thousand
dollars-a total loss in the United
States each year. according to Kober,
OF three hundred fifty million dollars
from this one desease, alone. Realfz-
ing that each and every case of seri-
ous illness In this or any other coun-
try, represents very evident money
loss that never can be repaid, we
understand the necessity OF every
effort made by those in responsible
positions for the maintance in robust
working-health of the entire popula-
tion.
Reading Layman, we are aware Of
the fact that scientific medicine is of
recent origin. To within few years
the practice of medicine was con-
&ChA
traditions. The physicians did not
know the cause. of the majority OF
ailments to which human flesh is
heir, and treatments of necessity de-
pended upon medieaments that are
more or less useful at the present
time. They were used without know
ing what specific causative agent they
were combating.
The introduction of the science of
bacteriology revolutioniEed IDEAS and
methods. We are able to study the
life history of these causative agents,
now And through experiments we
are able to make Yaceines and anti
toxin and aera to prevent or cure
Diseases,
Increasing attention Is now de-
voted to etiologic factors to dietetic
regulations and to physiolOgic
methods OF treatment. While a phys
ician's primary duty is TO preserve
life a teachers duty may be said to
coach life SO It can reach the goal
where all its functions can be pre-
formed without friction. We don't
expect to reach the ideal but we
can work honestly, to approach 1t as
near as our ability will take u.s.
Now. while am only supposed to
give suggestions in one branch of
your duty as a teacher, / feel it a
very important one. It Is d part,
II circumstances would permit that
could occupy special teacher instead
of including it with the duties of the
already overburdened school teacher.
We treat the hygienic conditions Of
our schools as minor part. or per
haps would be more truthful In say
ing we do not treat them at all.
In speaking of local conditions
will merely mention some OF the con-
ditions that should be present in the
regulation of the hygienic conditions
of our schools, and let you eritieiss
your own schools.
In advising as to correct eondi-
tions brIefness to the extent Of
choppiness will be necessary IN pre-
aentation.
In choosing location for school
4 high and somewhat isolated sno
away from the smoke and dfstur
bancea of the city should be chosen
The grounds should be both entfcint
and spacious, giving room for re
creation. 1t need not be mentioned
that the grounds should show tn
praper distribution of grass AM
shrubbery Proper apparatus sAoult
be distributed for recreation, AM
the children should be shown hoy
to use IL, A good player is generall
D good worker, or at least ! think h
can be developed into one. Drink
Ing fountains should be placed 1
and out of buildings A proper re
anept far the grounds should b
taught, and If need be forced. Schoc
grounds with bits of paper, pencils
rags or any garbage atTewh abou
show unhealthful surroundings, an
a place to harbor desease.
The building should be larg
enough. and preferably, construote
of brick or rock You can general
tell towns advancements by Il
ublio buildings. The room shoul
be large enough TO supply ampl
fresh air. If each student Is nroyi,
ed with 1000 cubic I96t OF space u
air should be changed three Tins
each hour. 50 you can form son
opinion as to the size Of the room
necessary for q pFepoFtonate numb'
OF students. If your pupils 9
stupid and lazy, as you think toWai
evening, investigate your yentilatio
and see If you haven't been eth
lazy or neg1ectful yourself.
ventiiating a room fires should
placed, If amy, in positions te ihcFea
cucuIibm Of air. Air should not
permitted 10 enter at the level Of 4
hpor because Of draughts and dAs
being carried In with the current
air. NeF should Il be let, In at
level Of the heads. L should col
in at the top, or near the top, Of
room and be directed upward. The
should not be parts of the room
which the air is dead due TO
inability to produce a direct cnrf'
by arranging openings As 3 deta1
statement eannQt De made ne
sHtllce II 10 say, be able to renew
cir IN all parts. The building sho
have uroperly arranged baths
iayatQries 80 thai unkept stude