The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-07-08
NEW HEALTH SUGGESTIONS

Wise men say there is nothing new
under the sun but this saying, like all
other generalizations, is only partially
true One of the many vigorous and
stimulating addresses at the Cleveland
meeting of the superintendent sec
tion of the n, f.. \. was by DR.. George
Strayer on Some New Health Records
He suggested three new varieties
First of all, one for a rating of the
school house 1t would be a large bull
letin or poster, placed in a conSpicu-
Gus position in the front hall, or
wherever it would most certainly COM
mand the attention of every incoming
person. Such health record for the
average school house would say some
such things as these;
|. This Building is Fire Trap.
The life of every child here is in
danger every hour of the day.
IL. This Building Makes Clean
IlanuS iHlpOSSlDles
The washing facilities are such that
the children can not keep their hands
in sanitary condition Dirty hands
carry infections to mouth and eyes.
Ill. This Building is Running Chill
dren's Eyes.
The lighting of rooms az" "Y," and
81" is such that all children in rows 4
and get less than three candlepower
of light. Serious eye strain is the re
suit and certain chronic ills, due to
eye-strain, are inevitable if this CON
tinueS.
Nv. This Buildings Air is Devitilizing.
Tests show that the humidity is far
too low The air is dryer than that Of
the Sahara Desert. This dries the skin
and is conducive to various physical
disorders
V. This Buildings Drinking Fountains
are Unsanitary.
These drinking fountains permit the
children to place their mouths over the
entire surface, far worse arrange
mcnt than the old time drinking cup,
which was bad.
Such a bulletin would undoubtedly
slartle school patrons and stimulate
them to action What the parents de
mand, the superintendent and school
board can secure
A second type of new health record,
suggested by DR. Strayer, is the sum
married. record for each child to be
constantly before the teacher on her
desk, or on the wall gear it. A set of
physical records in the supcrntcnd-
cnt's Office, or in the nurses Office is of
little use to the teacher Usually they
are never seen or utilized by her. A
summarized record of her pupils would
keep her reminded Of many things she
should know. Not only would she in
sist that Mary wear the glasses which
her vision demands, and that John sit
in a front seat so he can hear what
she says, but she will know that
Georges cough should be investigated,
since his record shows he has not had
whooping cough and it is now in town.
A Health Record Card for Parents.
Still third suggestion is health
record for parents If we are to per-
suade parents that health is really inn
lpOrlant, we should show them that we
consider 1t so by sending them quar-
tcrly, if not monthly, reports of their
children's physical condition as found
by the school nurse. A parent who
sees figures which show loss of weight
or the like will usually try and CO.
operate to mend the matter
We say health is FIRST Then let us
act as though we believed it, and carry
on, not sporadic drives once year OF
50, but continuous, vigorous cam.
paigns to secure the best health con
ditioDs possible for our children, botl
at school and at home.
ELIZABETH T.. WOODS.