The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1918-12-25

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University " I. 81 Normal Schools. sup.
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y preceding ARTICLES It has been
/ shown how the war precipitated 4 new
attitude on the part Of both individual
and nation toward social hygiene and
those devastating diseases which are
spread through sex immortality. At:
the outset, when the War Department
began Its crusade against these dis
eases. it was obvious that plain speak
Ing would be required. You cannot
RID q nation of a >scourge by keeping
quiet about it. Thus, although our
policy of silence toward all subjects
related to sex was centuries old, it
had to give way before an enlightened
understanding.
Minnesota's Bureau of Venereal Dis
eases, in offering it's cooperation with
1.-The War Department, recognized from
the beginning the importance of arous-
Ing the public first of all to the need
lot facing these matters honestly and
squarely, without prejudice. /
Publicity. \
| The people of the state have the
right to know the truth concerning
the prevalence, the dangers. the con:
tagiousness and the durability of va
lnereal diseases just as they have be-
come Informed of the facts: of tuber-
culosis and smallpox. Particularly
must 1t be shown how unnecessary is
their hideous cost to every generation
In life, happiness and money, and by
what methods this cost may be avert.
ed: That the people may be informed
OF these matters accurately the edu.
catfonal department of the State
Board of Health offers free lectures
whenever audiences can be obtained
Pamphlets are distributed for the ask
ing; travelling exhibits, one for men
and one for women, are sent to fairs,
or to communities which desire to un-
! dertake educational and health work.
moving picture film, Fit to Fight"
prepared by the War Department for
use in the camps has been purchased
and Is used with lectures for boys and
men. Talks are also given to en-
ployes in factories, stores, etc., as we'll
as to clubs and various organizations.
It is the aim of the bureau through
his publicity, not alone to spread a
| knowledge of venereal diseases, but
also to let it be known everywhere
throughout Minnesota that the State
Board of Health offers free diagnosis
and free treatment for everyone who
H. unable to pay the fee OF a private
physician or laboratory. /.
r. Prevention.
But sex education does not concern
Itself with disease alone. Prevention
of these particular diseases is not only
a medical problem, but it is one which
Involves moral character as we'll.
Moral character has its roots in early
life. Therefore every effort is being
made to help all those who deal with
young people to understand the nor.
NAL development of children, and the
need OF preventing and countera citing
the demoralizing effect of ignorance,
of unclean talk and thought as we'll
as of acts. immortality in later years
" can usually be found to have had it's
beginning in base and vulgar inter-
probation of sex. Therefore it is Of
the highest importance that parents
teachers, nurses, in fact all those who
have to do with children, should be
made aware of this specific RESPONSE
bility. Courses of study for all these
groups are offered; to facilitate the
work, travelling library has been a.
sembled which will be sent to any
community if one responsible person
will agree to insure it's return.
University and Normal Schools.
Today the State University and all
the normal schools have instituted
such courses in sex education. Their
primary aim is to assist the future
teacher or community worker to an
understanding of the part which sex
plays normally in the development of
boys and girls so that they may be
able to help surround our youth with
Influences which will make for
healthy, happy marriage and parent
hood rather than sex disaster and
wretchedness.
The importance Of Recreation.
| Finally 1t is recognized that nothing
ID of greater importance to the health
and morals Of young people than the
right kind of fun. The federal govern.
ment finds it wor til millions of dollars
to fill the leisure time of our boys in
training with wholesome recreation
Sports, athletic contests, singing, good
plays and movies, books, all are used
to provide wholesome outlet for the
T sver-mounting, restless energy Of
lyouth. We have learned that this en-
I ergy, when it is denied such ]egitf.
Innate outlet, all too often overflows
into channels which lead to bodily and
mental degfadation-to venereal dis
ease.
i Minnesota has not as yet any
l5fund for work along recreational lines
Fl But the Bureau of Venereal Diseases
Ills doing what it can to arouse the PEG.
lSp1e to the fact that if such an expen.
Ifditure of public moneys is necessary
Ito keep boys "fit to fight" certainly
some corresponding efforts should *be
smade for those of our SONS and daugh-
1sters, whose health, bodily and spir-
Ritual, will be so essential In the build