Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-08
PRACTICE, NOT THEORY,
URGED BY SCHOOL HEAD
Physical Conditions and Activities
Here Reviewed by DR.. John
P. CARRIER

lhcro is little use trying TO teach children
IN School the Importance of ventilation if
they arc required 10 sleep in bedroom
with its windows all closed. or allowed TO
sit in places of amusement where the ven
tilation is oven more questionable for them
than tho late hours and tho excitement in
volvcd.
Ihat is tho theory of DR.. John =. CARRIER
superintendent of public schools expressed
in an article on tho physical conditions and
activities in tho schools. IIc believed tho
schools are doing good work along health
lines, but h" suggests various places where
Improvement is needed
Efforts on the part of the school 10 OBJ
tam the benefits Of free play arc of little
avail he says. "whcrc the playing must
be done in the rrampcd space of small
schoolyard or in the midst of the dangers
and handspring Influences of the city street
In suggesting means by which tho best
health conditions may be brought about
Superintendent CARRIER includes "safc aud
sanitary school buildings with ample space
for both in and outdoor play.
The type of health instruction in the
schools that combines health. knowledge with
health practice, is also essential" he dc
rlares. 'Ihis we believe. is being ac-
compIishNd in the Philadelphia schools. Sys-
object not only the development of vgor and
endurance but also the rCmcdying of such
detects and weaknesses as will Weld TO we'll
regulated exercises. is another thing needed
Another essential is tho careful inspection
for safeguarding pupils from tho spread of
disease, for keeping building and grounds in
healthful conditions and for periodical OK
aminationS of all pupils to learn their physi-
ga defects as we'll as general physical con
ditou.
Owing to the close connection bctwccu
proper nutrition and educational growth.
school lunch counters have been established
in number of Schools The counters arc
self supporting. and the pupils arc able TO
got appetiziug and nutritious lunch at low
cost.
II believe there should also he sys-
tomatic plans for keeping parents informed
OF the physical Condit On of their children
and the proper means Of safeguarding health
in the home and the community Ample pro-
vision must be made. too for safeguarding
the leisure time of the Young people who
have gone to work. The period of rclaxa-
tion following a day of tension is ono of
the severcst tests of moral stamina that
comes TO adolcsccnt youths. immature and
inexperienced as they are. they gravny need
places and facilities for recreation that arc
ter for this than the school building
''Wc need also to remember that there is
much in modern life that is highly antago-
nistic to physical welfare. The scdcntary.
inactive life of the clerk and business man.
automatic machinery which is increasing the
tendency toward a musculary inactive life
in the mechanic. the excitement and drive
of life and its amuscmcnts. rich and highly
seasoned foods, and many other things arc
doing much toward multiplying the benefits of
commcndablc tendency toward out door
life. The remedy lies in adequate provision
for establishing health knowledge and health
practice that cvcntuatc in proper health
habits, in furnishing the expert inspection
that will fully inform and safeguard all
concerned. and in the intelligent and sym
pathetic co operation of all the educational
forces This means larger expenditures for
this important work. but it will also mean
a richer return in welfare and true pros
pcrity than we can otherwise secure