The Washington times., 1914-06-23
insurance Company Striving to
Conserve Public Health by
Pledging New Generation to
Right Living.
Hygiene Taught and Campaigns
to Eliminate Typhoid, Tuber-
cuIosis, and Other Diseases
Planned.

One thousand Washington chill
dren enrolled in the Health and
Happiness League!
Thai is the work done here With
in few weeks that one great in
suraHce company points to as epi-
dence of its work in promoting
health in the community.
Though primarily a matter of
business With the company, the
work performed is so practical
that it is receiving encouragement
rom District officials, as well as
rom the Washington Playground
association, from the Boy Scout
organizations, and from similar
IodieS interested in child welfare.
By ]. r. HILDEBRAND.
Lowering the death rate has been
attempted from the standpoint Of
public policy. Health has been en-
outraged from a humanitarian angle.
But health promotion as a matter
OF private business is a new phase
u hygienic activity now being ex-
2loited in Washington for the first
time
Good health is good business for
the individual. for the community.
and also for the insurance com
panles. That is why a new force
mas been injected into the fight for
lower death rate in the District.
This explanation constitutes the
wherefore of the Health and HAD
I.ness League. This is not a re-
formatory. but a preventive, activity.
Its membership is 10 be made I'D of
children between the ages OF six and
sixteen years. More than 200 child
rem already are on its rolls. In
Murray, formerly of the Health De-
paTtment. While DR.. Murray now
IS employed by a great insurance
ompany, his work still is in CO.
YpeTation with the Health Depart
nent, as well as in support Of such
other established hygienic agencies
S the Boy Scouts. the Camp Fire
iris, the Junior Civic League, the
little Mothers Club, and the Wash
-ngton Playground Association, at
ne offices OF which Dr. Murray has
lis headquarters.
Pledged to Right Living.
The aim Of the league is 10 band
tcEether children for instruction in
nrsienic living DR.. Murray ex-
planned. We are making an appeal
IT. various forms TO the groWn-ups.
There the seed is harder to plant.
Il is hard, as the saying goes, TO
each an old dog new tricks But
B the minds of children ii is COM
saratively easy to plant ideas OF
nrgienic living. which will stay with
'hom through life They will live
out the rules We teach them.
The league accOmplishes two
LIDEs. The members Of the league
are taught the simple rules for
proper living. and they also arc en-
~ouraged TO help others 10 make
heir city moro healthful place in
which 10 live"
The Health and Happiness Leagues
platform is no vague or elusive doc
trine. When child joins he signs
= pledge by which he promises TO
do all in my power TO preserve my
oddly health and add 10 the happi-
i.Fh0 VI DNLNlc ne SIBEClIfallE dlSO
aTomiscs to wash his hands and face
efore each meal and TO wash his
mouth apd teeth each morning and
yveninR. to refrain from splitting on
ne public streets. not to use a pub
&c drinking cup, TO destroy every
house fly he possibly can. to do
something to help his or her mother
very day, TO perform at least one
kind act every day. and to permit no
rude or offensive word TO pass his
Nps.
Children who sign this pledge are
siven buttons 10 wear, and are or
canized into groups. so thai the in
structors may come into close touch
18th the small groups thus formed.
Then representatives Of various in
'ereets. such as the Boy Scouts.
and Camp Fire Girls, are called in 10
address these groups, and the chill