The Washington times., 1920-11-12
The Growing Child
Morning Inspection.
KEEP HIM WELL
u. s. Public Health Service.
u. s. Public Health Service.

In the daily life OF every child
there are certain things 30 i'm
portsnt from the standpoint Of
health that every mother should
assure herself OF their observance
by diIigent observation and inquiry.
The best time for this inspection
10 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 Inspection should
be continued until correct health
habits are an integral part OF the
chiid's daily life.
Notice first the clealiness OF the
skin, as every mother will be-
cause of Its bearing on her pride
In her child's appearance and self
respect But apart from the ques-
tion OF ordinary decency. cleaiiness
OF the skin has It's bearing on the
question OF health. II the skin 10
kept clean and In a tonic condition
by frequent bathing. II will relieve
the kidneys of much, work that
would otherwise fall upon them.
BREAKFAsT.
After satisfying yourself that the
chiid's bathing has been properly
attended to, learn II he has eaten
any breakfast. Investigations made
In several large cities revealed q
startling number Of children who
60 to school without any breaK-
fast or q very unsatisfactory one.
No wonder that malnutrition 10 SO
prevalent.
1t 10 a well-known fact that
many children have little appetite
for breakfast, but when the de-
mands that mental and physical
growth make upon q child In school
are realized every effort will be
made to induce the child to take
some food before leaving home in
the morning. Though the estab-
lishment Of school lunches should
be a part Of every system of school
hygiene. this fact does not relieve
the home OF its responsibility.
Has the child's teeth been care
fully brushed after breakfast? Since
the relation of defective teeth to
disease has been recognized, wide
spread attention has been paid to
the care Of children's teeth. When
PARTICLES Oh 1000 are ieIt dTOunu
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 magnesia, lime water.
or salt and water. should be used.
Children should be taught to thor
oughtly masticate their food.
CONSTIPATION.
Has the child been to the toilet?
Constipation Is one OF the most
troublesome and common complaints
of both children and adults. and
nothing Is more conducive to this
condition than neglect or 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 allowed
to neglect this hygienic duty. He
will frequently be in such q hurry
to run out to play or to be or to
school that he will be careless in
the matter II he is not carefully
supervised.
Notice his posture, remembering
the important relation this bears
to his general health and self re-
spect. NDoes he stand erect with
a free, easy carriage? Is his head