The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-05-12
THE HEALTH OF THE
COUNTRY SCHOOL CHILD

AS a general rule the official care
of the health of school children
varies directly with the density of
population. At the one extreme Is
the costly, well-lighted, heated and
ventilated building of the cities, sup
piled with every sanitary necessity,
and having regular medical inspec-
ton and visiting nurses; at the other
the average rural school house, too
many pupils, difficult Of access, IT.
regularly heated, poorly ventilated
and lighted, with the inevitable out
house, often in an unsatisfactory and
unsightly condition, and little or no
medical inspection except during an
epidemic. Between these extremes
are found all degrees of excellence.
That there has of late years been a
vast improvement in many, il not
most of the smaller schools, cannot
,e denied. That there is room for
still greater improvement is equally
true. Whether the solution of this
problem lies in the consolidation of
school districts with proper facilities
for transportation to and from school
to the future, each peculiar commun-
ity having it's own needs, which must
be taken into account by the school
authorities.
Even the best equipped schools
cannot overcome the damage to the
health of children wrought in ignOr-
ant and careless home surroundings,
but conscientious and well informed
parents can largely counterbalance
the sanitary inefficiency of poorly
equipped schools. Too much respon-
sibility for the physical and moral
welfare of the children is placed on
the school, which would be better as
sumed In the home.
Certain prime essentials to the
good health of school children in
clude the following:
Eight to nine hours sleep every
night in cool, differentiated room,
with the window open at the top and
the bed room door closed.
Arising in the morning in time for
q thoro cleansing of the whole body,
and a comfortable breakfast, which
should include fruit, well-cooked
cereal and milk.
Attention to the bowels before
leaving for school. The value Of regu-
lar habits in this regard cannot be
overestimated.
A digestible and nourishing lunch.
Money given to children for this pur-
pose is usually spent in pies, cakes
and candies. In some communities
a single hot dish has been provided
for the children thru co operation be-
tween the school board and the par
ents. The effect upon the children
has been excellent.
Regulation of the hours for out
door exercise as well as those spent
in study.
Keep at home, until they are we'll,
showing the slightest signs
Of acute illness, for their own sake
and that of other children.
Cleansing the teeth by rinsing the
mouth every morning with little
warm water-very cold or very hot
water should not be used, as it will
njure the enamel (the hard covering
If the teeth.) The teeth should be
brushed every morning and
every evening, using some good tooth
preparation, preferably Pebeco.
Study the child's associates. Child
ZEN at this age are as receptive to
evil as to good and cleanliness of
mind as well as Of the body should
70 taught in the home.
Cooperate with, and find out the
reeds of, the teacher. Many things
an and will be done to improve con-
litions within and without the small
chool if the parents of the neighbor-
lood will interest themselves in the
ubject. Only by this means are there
o be found scattered here and there
hruout the state, little schools that
re delight to the eye, pleasure
or the pupils to attend, and an evil
lence of progressive and intelligent
III h1in snirit