Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-11-11
HEALTH GAME
FASCINATES AS
KIDDIES PLAY IL
Science Calls Trappings of Old
Days of KnighthOOd to
It's Aid.
AND RESULTS SHOWN
By FREDERIC y HAsKTN

BY FREDERIC j. HAsKIN.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-Knighthood
again is IN fun flower, with all its fas-
cinating accoutrements Of banners,
knights, dragons. tournaments and a big
crusade. The new knighthood is a
cleaner institution, literally. than the
old. for it is an organization Of school
children and their crusade Is in search
of health.
When the knights OF the Middle Ages
nourished dirt and disease were an ac-
cepted part OF existence. The famous
Order Of the Bath originated when a
youth presented himself before the king
for knighthood in so odoriferously and
disgustingly dirty a state that the king
suggested that the meeting BIZ adjourned
while the young cavalier took an in
tensive scrub. The results of the unusual
bath were so pleasing that cleanliness be-
came more popular, although it was
never a hobby with the old crusaders.
Now, all the delightfully."- mouth filling
words of chivalry and the best features
Of the crusades have been revived as an
irresistible means Of interesting children
in the gloomy business of ear washing,
going to bed early and abstaining from
tea and coffee.
The idea las worked Eight million
school children IN different parts of the
United States have gone enthusiastically
in quest OF health. Some Of them have
been crusading for two years, and the
interest Of the young squires and knights
is still at high pitch.
And this is really remarkable, when
you stop to consider how long your re-
marks on health would be remembered
II you were to get up before a school
nd dvfa bn IN Mo
guage to clean your teeth, because If
you don't, they will decay and hurt
you" This Is what mothers and teach
ers have been saying all along with
varying success. But when cleaning teeth
becomes part Of the work necessary for
page to advance TO the rank of squire.
and when the boy across the aisle is
pillng up points toward a knighthoOd
by taking a bath every day, cleanliness
becomes a desirable estate.
MAN WHO STARTED
IT TELLS HIS STORY.
The story of the crusade was told the
other night by the man who started It,
Charles De Forest. the crusader executive.
who Is connected with the National
tuberculosis Association.
Several years ago Mr.. De Forest felt
that his little son was leading too care
free an existence and that he should
have some kind OF work to do-some-
thing on the order Of the chores OF his
own boyhood. AS no appropriate odd
Jobs could be found, Mr.. De Forest made
out chart and wrote on 1t eleven
health chores, such as II played out
doors or with the windows open more
than thirty minutes today" and Il
washed my hand before each meal to-
day" At the end Of the week the points
were added and II the boy had a sat
ssfsctory number he was rewarded by
small increase over his regular allow
ance.
When a plan was wanted for teaching
health to school children. Mr.. De Forest
elaborated his little game and decked it
out with the trappings Of chivalry. After
two weeks probation child who got
81 points out of a possible IS, by doing
the health chores, became a crusader.
In three weeks more he was raised from
the low rank OF page TO that of squire.
Then, in five more week of healthful-
ness-su recorded on his own chart and
vouched for by bis parents-the squire
became a knight and eventually a knight
banneret.
Each year MI De Forest has had to
add new features to meet the childreu's
demand for something new. The knights
pin, which is plated with a very thin
coat Of gold Is different each year. New
ranks, too, are devised. such as knight
advanced order and Their knight ban
neret advanced order, which entities the
holder TO wear bit Of scarlet or purple
ribbon with the badge.
THE ROUND TABLE
ADDED FEATURE.
This year the newest feature is a
round table, suggested by King Arthur's
famous board. To win a seat at the
round table. a knight has to collect a
required number of points by athletics,
correct posture and weight, study Of
hygiene and flrst aid. 1t is all very real
and important TO the children. The
story of the old knights is taught In
most schools, so they know enough Of the
dashing heroes OF the middle ages to be
eager to initiate them.
Here in the District of Columbia and
In several States, the crusade has been
made a part OF the public school curri
cuIum with each teacher in charge OF
her grades progress.
One clever teacher wrote a play in
which a long. spotted dragon. Disease"
tormented a flock of dirty, sick-looking
people. until the King Good Health with
his knights of the Toothbrush. Bath and
other symbols Of cleanliness, came riding
IN to slay the dragon and march Of
bearing his ferOcious head in triumph on
a stick.
Schools that make good progress IN the
health crusade enter their record each
year in a national tournsment-The Field
Of the Cloth Of Gold-and the winning
State Is awarded the silver hanneret cup,
until one State shall win the three legs
by three years Of record breaking cru
SADIE work. Iowa now has the cup. With
these devices and other incidental attrac-
lions, the cooperation of the children and
their parents Is maintained.
Here in the District, Vice President