The Denver star., 1916-05-13
ARDENT ADVOCATE
OF GOOD HEALTH
Mrs. John E. Smith Tells How
to Prevent Disease.
NATIVE OF NOVA SCOTIA
Effective Work Of 4 Hampton Institute
ainia as Visiting Trained Nurse-De-
Iivers Instructive Address Before the
Negro Organization Society.

| Iivers Instructive Address Before the
| Negro Organization Society.
Mrs. John Edward Smith of Hamp-
| ton, Va, is doing valuable and effec-
tive pioneer work. She is winning the
confidence and respect of her own peo-
pie and the best white virginians
through teaching men, women and
children how to lead healthier, happier
and better lives. AS a visiting nurse
Mrs. Smith follows up the medical in
spections which are being made in the
schools among our people In York and
Elizabeth City counties by DR.. Roy X.
Flanagan and other workers Of the
Virginia state board Of health.
Before her marriage to a Hampton
tradesman Mrs. Smith was Miss Annie
Taylor, who finished her course Mt
Hampton institute in 1890 and was a
member OF Major Robert r. Motion s
s., in 1868, and after her graduation
from Hampton institute took course
in the Dixie Hospital and Training
| school. In 1894 she received her d.
ploma as Il trained nurse.
Representative Of the Hampton Idea.
Through all the years Mrs. Smith
has been devoted to improving the
health conditions OF the community in
which she has lived. She has always
Been good home maker and repre-
sentative of the Hampton idea of edu
cation for service.
The Negro Organization society Of
Virginia recently held a Sunday health
mass meeting ut Hampton institute to
create fresh enthusiasm for the state
wide Cleanup campaign" Captain
Allen Washington. who will succeed
Major Motion as commandant of cadets
at Hampton institute, asked Mrs.
Smith to speak on Health Condl-
tions."
Mrs. Smith in part said:
This meeting is like revival. The
Negro Organization society has gather
ed us here from the communities In
the county to learn about the religion
Of health. To fully understand what
this society is doing through its em
cient workers we should read again
the health creed and pledge which
were written by Professor John NJ.
Candy, who is the executive secretary
of the Negro Organization society.
Presents Thoughtful Health Greed.
II believe n sound body is the most
precious OF all earthly possessions, the
foundation OF a strong mental life, ah
important element in the making Of
moral character, the first essential to
any worthy achievement and the great
est factor in life of happiness. be-
lieve dirt and filth are the copartners
Of disease and death; cleanliness and
abundance - pure, fresh air. plenty
Of sunlight and the proper disposal Of
waste from the body are safeguards to
good health.
81 therefore pledge myself to keep
my body clean, my mind free OF I'M
pure thoughts and my lips of unclean
words; as far us possible to live In
the open air; to let into my sleeping
room sunlight in the day and a full
supply of pure, fresh air day and
night, winter and summer; to wage a
deadly warfare against flies and mos
1uitoes; to do whatever l can to en-
courage good health for my commu-
nifty.
Death Rate In Elizabeth City County.
"The Elizabeth City county board OF
health for month or more has re-
ported no contagious diseases. The
number Of deaths among cOlored peO-
pie, however, has exceeded the num-
Der Of deaths among white people each
month for the past four years with
only one or two exceptions. The num-
Der Of deaths among our people some
months has been double that of the
whites. l am sure that In many cases.
If the simple laws OF health had been
regarded, the number of deaths might
have been less.
81 have visited some beautiful mod
ern homes owned by our people. and 1
have also visited the humblest cabins
that anybody could spend the night in.
have entered some homes into which
preachers, teachers and even doctors
hardly ever go. Some people are In
different They don't seem to try to
make the most of what they have.
I have found that even Indifferent peo-
pie are sometimes willing to listen to
stranger who Will help them.
Spirit Of Cleanup Should Continue.
1--WE want the spirit of cleanup
week to last all the year. especially
in the winter time, when dirt seems
to accumulate so fast While cleaning
up do not forget to look after your
well. Good. pure water means health.
The Virginia state board of health has
carried on the wOrksof medical inspec-
ton in the colored county schools. In
seven schools the inspectors found
over 500 children suffering from de-
fects which interfered With their
school work.