The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-01-08
STATE HEALTH BOARD
ON RURAL SCHOOLS
Discusses an Important
Though Disagreeable
Subject.

The following is the latest bulle-
tin of the State Board of Health:
From an authoritative source it is
learned that one half of the rural
schools of Florida are not provided
with toilet accommodations for teach
ers or pupils.
It's a disagreeable subject to dis
cuss-this of the proper sanitation
and the results to thousands of help
less children--but the blame should
be put where it belongs, the remedy
brought about, if possible, and the Sc
rious results of neglect brought be-
fore the people and the responsible
authorities.
The necessity for proper accommo-
dations was created by an all-wise
Providence. It's up to man to meet
it, and the authorities who fail to
perform their dIty should be re-
placed by others intelligent enough
to recognize such duties. That's
plain talk, but it's truth. The teach
ers are not responsible. Their du-
ty ends with the employment and the
intelligent use Of the equipment pro
vided, and with the proper oversight
of the mental, moral and physical
condition of their charges.
What are some of the results of
this widespread lack of proper toll
ct accommodations, or of accommo-
dations unfit for the use of the chill
dren of Florida parents?
One is the pollution of the earth
surrounding the schools with the in
lection of the ground with the germs
of the hookworm disease, rendering
largely futile the efforts to rid the
state of this affliction. The cycle
through which this disease is carried
involves exactly the conditions Great
ed in this way
Another result is the moral effect
on the pupils. This is obvious with
out argument or comment.
The authorities in charge of
Florida's school system, from their
inspections of the schools, particular
ly of the schools where the accom-
modations already provided are poor,
have reported the DETACHMENT of walls
with vile and suggestive writings and
marks. They have reported other
conditions of like character destruc-
tive of good morals and purity. The
remedy?
If it is not apparent Immediately
to the most obtuse-properly con-
structed closets, properly located with
reference to school buildings, proper
llv screened and regularly inspected
No school district is so poor that ii
cannot provide them.
The duty of the teacher does moi
end with maintaining proper discip'
lime in the schoolroom nor with hear
ing recitations and assigning lessons
1t includes an oversight of the phys
lical condition of every pupil. Every
child should be watched as to person
al cleanliness---clean faces, and hands
and finger nails should be insisted
on. 1t includes constant supervls-
ion of the school room and closets to
see that they are always clean and
we'll ventilated and that the youthful
imagination is not fired by sugges-
r tive DETACHMENT of walls and sur
roundings. 1t includes the creation of
a moral atmosphere in the school
room and in every direction where
the teachers influence may be felt.
For the school of today-the school
that is really accomplishing results
is not merely place where textbooks
are the only tools, place where
children are sent to "be taken care
of" during certain hours of the day.
1t is the place where clean living is
taught as much by example as by
precept, where is found an inspira-
ton for the best things of life, and
the teacher shonld be the source of
that inspiration.
But such results ale impossible
where the commonest necessities OF
life are lacking and where the sur,
roundings, if not inspiring are not
: even decent