The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-10-20
The Growing Child
IA series of articles prepared es-
pecially for The Palladium. by the
United States Public Health
Service. Washington, D. CT
NO. 2a-MoRNING INSPECTION.

In the daily life of every child there
are certain things so important from
the standpoint of health that every
mother should assure herself of their
observance by diligent observation and
inquiry. The best time for this inspec-
ton is in the morning before the child
starts for school.
Make the hour early enough to allow
the child time to attend to any point
which he has forgotten or neglected.
Children are very apt to forget things
which are not habitual and this in
spection should be continued until
correct health habits are an integral
part of the child's daily life.
Notice first the cleanliness of the
skin. as every mother will because of
it's bearing on her pride in her child's
appearance and self respect. But apart
from the question of ordinary decency,
cleanliness of the skin has it's bearing
on the question of health. If the skin
is kept clean and in tonic condition
by frequent bathing, it will relieve the
kidneys of much work that would
otherwise fall upon them.
After satisfying yourself that the
child's bathing has been properly at
tended to, learn if he has eaten any
made in several large cities revealed
startling number of children who go
to school without any breakfast or
very unsatisfactory one. No wonder
that malnutrition is so prevalent.
1t is we'll known fact that many chill
dren have little appetite for breakfast,
but when the demands that mental
and physical growth make upon
child in school are realized every et.
fort will be made to induce the child
to take some food before leaving home
in the morning. Though the establish
ment of school lunches should be j
part Of every system of school hygiene.
this fact des not relieve the home OF
it's responsibility.
Has the child's teeth been carefully
brushed after breakfast? Since the re-
lation of defective teeth to disease has
been recognized, widespread attention
has been paid to the care of children's
teeth. When particles of food are left
around the teeth, the ever-present bac-
terra bring about fermentation and
putrefaction, acids are set free which
attack the enamel and decay begins.
Hence, the Importance OF cleaning the
teeth is plainly seen, and an alkaline
mouth wash such as milk of magnesla,
lime water, or salt and water, should
be used. Children should be taught
to thoroughly masticate their food.
Has the child been to the toilet?
Constipation is one of the most
troublesome and common complaints
of both children and adults, and moth
ing is more conducive to this condition
than neglect of regular evacuation OF
the bowels. Training in the habit OF
regular bowel movements should be
begun in infancy, and as the child
grows older he should never be al
lowed to neglect this hygienic duty.
He will frequently be in such a hurry
to run out to play or to be off to school
that he will be careless in the matter
if he is not carefully supervised.
Notice his posture, remembering the
important relation this bears to his
general health and self respect. Does
he stand erect with a free, easy car
riage Is his head well-poised, and
his shoulders straight and lying close
to the ribs behind? Does he walk
toward you with firm, erect attitude,
or does he SLOUGH along with a stoop-
ing body and dropping head? If these
things are not as they should be. an