The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1918-09-28
PUBLIC FORUM.
Preventive IheranutIcs.

ting demands upon every community.
The public is rapidly growing sensi-
tive TO this awakening and the public,
as a unit Is always recognized.
The physical examination Of men
for army training has developed the
localization Of certain diseases that
are peculiar to sections OF country.
This fact makes for studying to dis
cover and remedy the cause, to apply
the preventive measures rather than
the more uncertain curative methods.
In Wisconsin alone five hundred
men have been rejected from cantone-
ments, because classed as tuberlcular
This fact indicates, in many instances,
lack of health inspection Of schools
where the tendency to pulmonary diff
hculties would have been earlier de
tected followd up and development
prevented
The law requires all normal child
rem TO attend school. For that rea-
son they should be entitled to the
fullest possible protection, not only
against infection and contagion, but
all other physical defects which can
be remedied or prevented This IS a
task the public is recognizing as a re
sponsibility involving a demand e
which those in authority are nobly re
spending
During the past decade teachers
and scientists have been investigating
the so-called dull child cases. They
have thus discovered a variety OF con
ditious which seriously hampers prog
ress in school. A large percentage
(perhaps the largest Of long train
of ills) have defective or diseased
teeth causing infection, often Of n
serious nature Pus cavities and ul-
GERS of the gums, caused by decayed
teeth carry poison to the systems,
sowing the seeds for a weakened con
stitution and subsequent invalidism
Every child should have a healthy
mouth and bad teeth can be remeded
and are therefore inexecusable. The
principles of personal hygiene, taught
daily in the school rooms, might be-
gin with care Of the teeth
The percentage having defective
vision is also very large. second only
to defective teeth This Is most ser
ious condition, causing large num-
Der who zee allowed TO go incorrect
ed to fall behind in their school work.
Diseased tonsils Is found to be anoth-
er source OF handicap, also adenoids.
Anemia ear trouble and goiter are
not uncommon among pupils strug-
Cling yainly to keep up grade; fall
ing behind and getting discouraged
All these ills have in the past been
allowed 10 slide along; but are now
being brought to light and steps TAX
en- to remedy such as may be. But II
requires cooperation of parents and
teachers with health officer or medA
cal inspector and progression along
these lines is slow. because not well
enough understood to be appreciated.
Seventy per cent OF children OF school
age suffer from some one or another
physical handicap This Is a tragedy
in the minds of those who know such
a condition can be remedicd. Ere
quently a dull child may be found 70
DE physically sound Even this may
not be necessarily a case of abnor-
mality but a lack Of concentration. Il
child, especially OF a nervous. rest
less temperament must be taught 10
concentrate his efforts. or scatter
mindedness becomes habit hard IL
overcome and produces the inefficient
pupil This requires guidance. pa
tience and iirmness Of those In author
ity But the child OF high tension Of
ten develops the genius when their
energies become rightly directed.
We cannot make II too strong thai
Il rests with parents. directors and
the general public TO give the rising
generation chance TO become strong
OF body aud mind by removing every
destructive agency to their well be-
ing. Demand the best and II will be
granted. Let the future develop the
splendid body, mind and citizenship.
that il the rightful heritage OF the
children, under conditions that pro-
duce the best; even as a gardener
weeds, prunes and protects his grow
ing products.
A. A. METCALF, NJ. ID.
Health Officer
Stand by the coyerpmeuf