Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-02-03
HYGIENE AND THE CHILD
by Matilda Beam Lawson, Principal
Lordsburg Grammar School

many by-paths, we realize or, rather
begin 10 realize the value of good
health. The close, dark. crowded
school room Of the past gives way TO
the airy, many -windowed, roomy school
room of the present time. Even so. we
do not give the health of the child It's
due consideration
One Of the first requisites Of health
and hygiene is cleanliness. Germs de-
light in dirt, 1t is their habitat. Chill
drcn should be impressed from the
earliest days Of understanding to keep
clean. ont merely TO the collar Of thu
clothing but verify from the tip Of
the head to the tip Of thetoe. There
are many women whose kitchen is of
shining cnatneSs but whose boys neck
is dirty from the ears back. Somehow
it is not the younger children that are
not So clcanly, but the older ones on
whom the mothers rely to keep them
selves clean. Enough weight has not
been put on the fact that the dirt is
menace to health hut rather on the fact
that il is not sccmly, and the average
boy cares not fig for that.
a short time ago we gave each child
IN the school II health rules, with q
mark each day for one obcycd. The
receptions at home We're many ami
varied. Some of the cards were torn
up some of the teachers called med
dlers. and the mothers whosec hildrcn
didn't need the rules complied with
them as they had long before they had
seen them.
I One incident was rather amusing.
one Of the primary children ran home
to his mother and said. Mother,
teacher says I'm to wash my neck and
ears every day aud I'll get PIN The
mother grew indignant AMI I'm afrail
spoke rather mkindly o. the teacher.
Then the child brought forth the card
and there was understanding on the
mothers part. Her sons neck and ears
were washed, he slept 10 hours IN
fresh air and had good food But
what Of the children who didn't have
that care? Their mothers had to be
reached and it is the cooperation be
tween the teachers and parents that IS
needed
Every child should be taught 10
wash the face and hands before eyc;y
meal, never to touch food without
cleansing the hands and to take sew
eral baths weekly They should be-
taught and taught to practice 10 keep
their hair brushed and tidy. The nails
should be- always free Of dirt for rs
we know. dirt is the home Of bacteria.
But all the teaching doesn't help Il
there isn't practice.
one NJ my students whose hair stood
straight mp with dirt and ned of brush
ing, whose clothes were muddy and
dirty. whose hands were really claws
with their long, dirty nails and be-
grimcd condition. whose entire appear
ancc was one of dirt and mtidiness
, wrote beautifully, not emitting de,
tail. $50 words on Cleanliness and the
Care Of the Body. This is not an OK.
, aggeration.
We will consider together fresh air
sunshine and exercise. Germs cannot
. live in sunshine and fresh air. Even
the tubercular bacili. one OF the strong
est bacteria known. cannot live Longer
Than eight hours exposed to fresh an
/. and sunshine Exercising all parts @.
+ The body brings every organ to H.
greatest degree Of efficiency and en-
ubles MS 20 throw or thed isease witt
which we come In contact. No persoi
r Is free from danger as long as Their
D $50 ne person in a community with am
. disease. E"ery child, indeed ever.
I person. should sleep practically In tn
r open air. Every child should nav
, from one to two hours daily Of exer
p Else. play or walking. In theopen ai
nj sunshine. II costs nothing au
means 80 very much.
! Tuberculosis kills people in tn
D prime Of life chiefly. yet Il Is con
tracted In childhood. See that you
child has 10 hours at least Of slee
IN an airy room and at least an hon
II outdoor play every day th
weather permits
Next we come to the child's dict. u
p child mean school children. Mo-
children have too much Of the wron
kind Of food and too little Of the righ