Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-30
Saving the Chsldren's Sight


work for dentists-the prevention of decay in the
teeth OF school children-was made in an article
quoted recently in these columns. An equally I'M
portant job in preventive medicine-the saving OF
the children's eyesight-is treated by Mr.. Gordon
L. Berry OF the national committee for the pre-
vention Of blindness in a paper read before the
American School Hygiene association and pub
lished in the Medical Review of Reviews (New
York; We are told, Mr.. Berry writes, that
three-quarters OF our 100000 school children
are below par physically, that one-quarter-5.OO0,-
000-have defects OF vision, and we know that
these conditions are responsible for both meth
cheney and waywardness on the part OF the pupils,
who are moreover continual drag upon the class
and the teacher. These early defects in vision
may also be the warning OF serious impairment
Of vision in later years, possibly ending in total
blindness. And yet we know that most OF these
conditions can be corrected if dealt with in time.
Laying aside for the moment" he goes on,
"the, possibility of blindness ensuing let us con-
slider what it means to be on the border line, SO
to speak, to have certain percentage OF VISION,
and yet not enough to earn the wages OF the nor
NAL man in complete possession of all his facu-
ties. Take near -sightedness, for instance unless
recognized and dealt with in time it may progress
to the period where the young man or young
woman Is just on the threshold of life, ready to
step out with the ranks Of our professional and
industrial armies; yet, because some school
superintendent has thought that vision test made
by the teachers required more of their time than
could be spared from the arithmetic hour or the
language class, or because city council
could not, in its own blindness, see the economic
significance to the individual and the community
in the expenditure of funds to provide adequate
medical inspection, clinics etc. or perhaps because
the parents themselves, in spite of the warnings
received where medical school inspection is in
force, are calous to the need-bcadse Of these
chief hindrances, John and Mary are unable to
complete their work. debarred because OF some
defect Of vision, which might be so easily cor
rected, or because of the result of some eye
disease which might have been prevented or
cured. As DR.. Taliaferro Clark of the United
States public health service has said of the chill
dren infected with trachoma: They are sent out
(of SCHOOL, at an age when the mind is most re-
ceptive, when the soil is in process of cultiva-
ton for the future harvest OF intellectual useful
ness. To early manhood the door of professional
usefulness is closed, When defective vision re-
suits, as it too often does, they are prevented
from laying up in the storehouse of the mind those
mental pictures derived from the study of art,
literature and science, among which the imagina-
ton could run riot to the solace of the declining
years."
II seems imperative to Mr. Berry that from
early years children should have an understand
ing of the dangers of disease and of the way to
avoid contagion. This information must be given
in much the same way as is the geography or
arithmetic lesson and be made both instructive
and interesting. He refers with approval to the
course in hygiene prepared for use in the public
school system of New York City under the direc-
ton of DR.. c. Ward CHAMPION director of physi-
cal training. To quote again:
with reference to conservation of vision, DR..
Champion includes from the early grades instruc-
tons for the teacher relative to seating light and
discovery of symptoms of defects of vision
through daily morning inspection. Explana-
ton is given of local symptoms to be noted, which
can be diagnosed by the teacher as indicative OF
need for further examination by the school nurse
or inspector; for instance, scowling, squirting,
headaches. reading matter held at an improper
distance from the eye, inflammation, pus forma-
ton, inability to see the blackboard clearly,
etc, etc
"The children are to be instructed from class
lib upward in the care Of the eyes: cleanliness
and infection, bathing corners every morning,
dangers of dirty towels, use of separate handker-
chiefs, etc. As we go on; to the higher grades
we find more complete instruction advised than
in the classes of the little folks. The necessity
for consulting physician, instead of buying adj
vertised cures; explanation of causes of disease,
instruction in how to study, and the reasons for
securing proper lighting conditions, all of these
round out the course and are OF material benefit
to the child.
THE only suggestion which wish to make in
addition to the foregoing is the desirability Of
tons of the eye, the dangers from lack of care
and the methods Of prevention. Even in the low
est grades this can be taught, through the story
method. or through pictures, and it is remark
able how much tiny little chap of S or will
absorb and make his own permanently Many of
the lessons taught in earliest years are the ones
that make the deepest impression upon the mind,
to bear fruit in years following. The method of
presentation is undoubtedly exceedingly impor-
tant. 1t is gratifying to find health board in
the south-the State Board of Health of Lousi-
ana--printing at frequent intervals during the
year special bulletin for the education of the
child. Special pictures, cartoons and little
rhymes make the four pages as interesting read
ing to the child as would be the perusal Of Little
Women or Little Lord Fauntleroy.' This bule-
tin is sent free of charge to any child or family
in the state. A chdren's health code is fire.
quently furnished to be posted on the inside
cover of the text books.
Competitive exercises, essays preparedIby the
children. are again splendid means Of educa-
| ton In the safety organizations OF our great
| industries of today the best results have been
! accomplished where the direct assistance OF the
workmcn themselves has been sought in investi-
| eating conditions and making suggestions for
| bettcrment 1t is human nature to take the keen
| est interest in the program in which we have ali
| active part Our school children should have such
| opportunities provided.
| Lantern slide lecture by local oculists and
physicians, social workers and visitors from other
| cities should be given whenever possible. Such
cooperation can frequently be provided by the
national committee for the prevention of blindnes:
| or the state representative of the committee OF
| conservation of vision OF the American Medca
| association.
Finally the education Of the child in health
matters may be materially assisted by the intro
duction of travelling school exhibits sent out b,