The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-10-22
A FAMILY SCHOOL

quito is the only agency Of infec-
ton. Thus, IL reduces 10 this: that
while the individual rattler is more
dangerous than the individual mos
quito. the mosquito, in general, kills
her thousands where the snake kills
one. Now-wiih considerable mod
iiication Of the ratio--scarlet fever
is the rattlesnake; whooping-cough
and measles are the mosquitoes. II
is just as important TO keep measles
out of community as IL is 10 shut
out scarlet fever. In fact, il you
will study the records Of this city,
you will find that in two out Of the
last three years, measles has killed
more people than scarlet fever, and
whooping-cough more than either
Of them"
What are we going 10 do about
it," asked the practical-minded Mr..
Clyde.
"Ah. il some one would only tell
us thatl In measles the worst Of
the harm is done before the dis
ease announces itself definitely.
The most contagious stage is prev
ious to the appearance OF the tell
tale rash. There's nothing but a
snuflling nose, and perhaps a very
little fever To give advance notice
that the sufferer is flrebrand."
DO you mean to say that quar-
antine and disinfection and isola-
ton are all useless?' asked Mr..
Clyde.
mo. ] won't go as far as that.
But | will say this: that all our
cumbersome and expensive and Oft
en- harassing hygienic measures in
the contagious diseases haven't
made good. Obviously, il they had,
we should see a diminution OF the
ills which they are supposed to
limit. There is no diminution. No,
we're on the wrong tack. Until we
know what the right tack is, we
perhaps ought TO keep on doing
what we can in the present line.
It's big. complicated subject and
one that won't be settled until we
find out what scarlet fever measles,
and whooping-cough really are, and
what causes them. While we're
waiting for the bacteriologist TO tell
us that, the soundest principle OF
defense that we have is to keep the
body up to its highest pitch of re-
sistance. That is why ! support
medical inspection for schools as an
essential measure"
ITO repair the children without
the schools. IL may modi-
fy DR.. Goler's epigram." suggested
Mr.. Clyde.
Exactly. Eventually we shall
have TO build as well as repair. A
very curious thing is happening to
Young America in the Eastern
States. The growing generation is
in weight and height"
which is almost contradictory
enough for a paradox" remarked
Mr.. Clyde.
ITS a melancholy and literal fact.
You know, there's a height and
weight basis for age upon which
our school grading system rests.
The authorities have been obliged
to reconstruct il because the
are continuously growing
smaller for their years. There's
work for the inspection forcer
YOU'D put the children on pull
leys and stretch 'em out, sup
pose!" gibed Grandma Sharpless.
THAT might work, too" replied
the doctor, unrufiled. The Pro-
crustean system isn't so bad. il old
procrustes had only sent his victims
TO the gymnasium instead Of put
ting them TO bed. Yes, a quarter Of
an hour with the weight-pulleys
every day would help understood
a good deal. But princ,-
pally should want the school-in
spectors TO keep the youngsters
playing"
you don't have to teach a child
to play" shifted Grandma Sharpless,
with womanly scorn OF mere mans
views concerning children.
pardon me, Mrs. Sharpless, you
taught your children TO play"
I'll Whatever makes you think
that?"
The simple fact they didn't die
in babyhood."
Mrs. Sharpless looked at him with
a severity not unmingled with sus-
picion. Sometimes, young man."
she observed. "you talk like a-a-a
gumpl"
take that, Strongr said Mr..
Clyde, joining in the doctors laugh
against himself.
Facts may sometimes sound
foolish" admitted DR.. Strong. "If
they do, that's the fault OF the
sneaker, And il is a fact that every