The Penn's Grove record., 1914-06-12

SCuOUI Wdo CIOoCu ldoV OOuOUOA OOSou0O
Of all epidemic of diphtheria the absent
days was from 424 in September to
1858 in April, making about $4,000
days the 600 pupils were absent. For
every day a pupil is absent the Borough
loses about three cents from the State
School Fund. That means a loss of
over $500 for the school year.
Then there were some of school age
who never attended, whose presence
would also increase the Borough's
school fund.
The procuring Of that amount would
pay for an efficient truant officer and
the medical inspector.
Why should there be so much sick
ness to reduce school attendance 1t
is not only a detriment to the pupil, a
hindrance to the teacher, but a financial
loss to the Borough as well al to the
parents.
is the sickness caused by the lack Of
knowledge in the paients for the proper
care of the children by giving whole
some food, pure air, and proper santa
ton about The homes? How are
parents OF children to know if they
never received scientific instruction ?
Doctors and health authorities are ex-
pected to know, but when such changes
are suggested for the better some resent
| the interference with their personal
liberty, liberty to remain unhealthy and
pay to get rid Of the result and not the
cause.
The hot sultry days are here. Are
there any n~uisances with offensive
odors to be abated? Are there any
~cesspools, or ponds, where the mosqui-
tos may breed and carry the malaria
poison therefrum to the person they
may draw blood 'FRONT.' Are there
filthy breeding places where malignant
bacteria thrive? Ale there places
where the typhoid flies may breed?
Some may think there are lots OF work
the Board of Health might do. They
might and give great Otfense for their
noble efforts and honest intentions 10
better the sanitary conditions of a
town. But then it is easier TO retain
| the good will of their fellow citizens
and let them pay dearly while the
causes go Oh from year to year.
An article i'll a monthly magazine
some time since, on the way to prevent
infant mortality, told what was being
achieved. Miss Jessie Phelps, Il pio-
neer in the new education, is a
professor of biology in the Michigan
! Normal College. For three years she
has been giving courses of instruction,
the object of which was to establish
| thru teachers and schools higher ideals
| of parenthood, and the elements of
health conservation, proper diet and
hygiene. She said more than a hun
dred teachers had written her telling
what they were doing to instruct
| mothers and children. All were Ger
tain that they were better guardians
of children because Of their special
preparation, by the study of biology.
The American Association for the
study and prevention of infant morali-
ty has adopted in its working platform
a resolution to the effect that ''inas-
much as healthy parents, right customs
and wholesome environment are essen
tial factors in preventing infant NOR
trlity, we urge all boards that license
teachers for public schools TO give as
detailed tests in hygiene, sanitation and
BIOLOGY as they now give in mathe-
mates OIL languages"
BIOLOGY treats of the science of life,
elements OF food to sustain life, proper
ventilation and sanitation. 1t is re-
required liz a permanent teachers course
in New Jersey. Books were bought
for Penns Grove high school last sum-
mer and a teacher expected to have a
class, but the powers that be in the
Board of Education hindered the orga-
nizing of the class. A teacher expect
ed to teach it and would have been
pleased to have done SO. She said
every person hOuld have a knowledge
contained in the book bought. In the
book is a report of how the sluggish
| people of the Southland were made
energetic, thrifty citizens by the remov-
al of the hookworm. Are there any
hookworms in Penns Grove which need
removing?
Surely Penns Grove needs some such
instruction. The poor attendance at
school attributed to sickness surely
proves the need of such instruction.
The pupils, parents and taxpayers are
losing more by poor attendance at
school than the books cost. The teach.
Ell costs no more.
Other books bought and studied are
of less practical value because The infor-
nation they contain is not needed i'll
the requil ements 10 be a school teach
Ell, mol TO make a point in a Normal
School nor entrance to a college.