Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-03-10
SCHOOL NURSES
AIDING HEALTH
Each Child in the Public
Schools is Examined Once
a Month Campaign Open

A Phase OF the e~uuCdtlohdi Worh
of the city which is carried on very
quietly but which is entirely indis-
pensible to the public school system
Is that of the school nurses. This
little triumverate consisting OF Mrs.
Mabel Fales, Mrs. Sadie Kemerer
and Miss Katherine CROSBY are re-
sponsible to q degree for the health
conditions in the schools of the city
and from authoritative reports they
are responsible for the very fine re-
suits that have been obtained in this
work with the children.
Mrs. Fales is in charge of Schools
2, A., 10, z and the high school:
Mrs. Kemerer, Schools 6. grammar
and eighth grade of the high school;
Hiss CROSBY, Schools S. s and 9.
1t is the plan, rs a as is possible.
to examine each child IN h public
schools once a month. For the most
part this has been complied with.
resulting in a careful watch being
made of the health of each individ-
ual pupil, allowing no defect, condi-
ton of insanitation or ailment to
have more than a months tart. In
many cases, where the teacher sees
that attention should be paid. the
children receive even more frequent
examinations.
A campaign for clean lines is city
wide. The children have drilled
into them the necessity of proper
care of their bodies. In a diploma
tic way the children r asked to
take baths. and the subject has re-
ceived such great attention that h
pupils make every effort to conform
with the requirements in order that
they may not be considered less
careful than their fellows. In sew
eral cases the pupils have made 1t
so distinctly unpleasant for an I'M
washed youngster that he changed
his sanitary code and stuck to the
better health measures.
The work of the nurses in general
consists of inspecting the children
for evidences of contagious diseases
and physical defects and cleanliness.
Giving talks to individuals, classes
and groups is also part of the cur
riculum and minor treatments and
emergency work form a large part
of the nurses duties.
Probably the most effective work
that is carried on Is the follow-up
work in the homes. The carr that Is
| started in the schools Is continued
at the children'e homes, wherever
il is possible. With diplomacy and
tact the nurses overcome the indif-
erence or antagonism of many of the
parents and in this way are accept
ed in their midst and indirectly work
around to the object of their visits
| which may be the following up of
anything from infected scratches to
serious contagious diseases. Often
hints and helps are given the par
ents in matters widely outside the
| regular duties of the nurses. after
the position of the school representa-
tives is assured.
One great accomplishment that Is
the result of many years of constant
effort Is the cleaning up of all the
schools of ~pediculus. or head lice.
which has infested the system for
some time. The nurses had been
working since 1909 to bring about
the cleaning up of this pest and not
until this year have the results been
so satisfactory. 1t is a sourc Of
great pride in the school rooms in
various sections of the town that all
the pupils are free from lice and
knits and if a case is found, the rest
of the children see to it that the cul-
prit is not long in getting rid of this
undesirable pest.
Several cases of malnutrition
have been found to exist among the
pupils and the nurses have been en-
hAASy ASoROAAotoit v taCA toAOs
The proper care of tonsils has
been particularly considered and
fighting adenoids Is one of the i'm
portant phases of the nurses work.
The recommendation of salt and
water to the parents of those chill
dren who know nothing of this rem
edy. has been responsible for the
saving of hundreds Of cases of Sc
rious Illness that might have been
the result of sore Threats.
Health clubs have been formed in
many Of the schools in which great
pride Is taken by the children. These
clubs and their officers see that
every phase of cleanliness is strictly
adhered to.
The examination and care of the
teeth by the nurses have also served
to raise the general condition of the
pupils and the institution of the new
dental clinic will be a great factor
in carrying out the methods that are
taught by the nurses.
Although the nurses hours are
supposed to be the same as the reg
ular teachers. they often continue
their work on Saturdays and Sun
days where followup work is needed
and often take are of cases In their
own homes. Winning the confidence
of the parents has been n of the
greatest factors in accomplishing
the work in Perth Amboy. and,
| working hand in hand with the other
| nursing and health agencies OF the
city, the nurses are directly respon-
| sible for much of the healtful con-
dition that exists in the schools here