The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-05-13

brushes.
Two hundred thirty nine children
have been referred to an oculist dur
ing the school year. In most of these
cases, home call is essential. A
child seldom complains or poor eye
sight, being he knows nothing or
very little of normal eye vision, and
complains little Of any particular eye
strain, his parents are apt TO think
little or nothing of the notice sent
home, about consulting an oculist.
When the child's eyes are tested at
home, leaving the parents to do their
own Judging, they respond very
quickly and are thankful for the
suggestion given.
The medical profession now days
teach us that diseased tonsils and
adnoids are great detriment to ones
health in many ways, and any child
with these defects, will not be able
to do the average school work for
any length OF time. Not long ago, /
found child's health record which
read thusly: "Tonsils enlarged and
inflamed, nose obstructed due TO ade-
noids, teeth bad" Upon inquiring for
this lad. l was informed that he died
last fall OF rheumatism. His record
surely showed a good foundation for
rheumatism. But it is rather a diff
ficult task to impress upon the peo-,
pie the Importance of removing
source of this Kind before 1t proves
fatal or loss of health. Four humid
red five notices dealing with diseased
tonsils and adenoids, have been sent
home to parents the past year.
Eighteen cases of abnormal hearing
were also combined with these en-
larged tonSilS.
One hundred forty seven home
calls to school children, have been
made. If for any reason the parents
are unable financially to fulfill the
suggestions given, this should not be
hindrance TO a child's health and
welfare. The Branches have shown
splendid cooperation by financing
and assisting in the care OF all cases
referred to them.
Children thruout the county that
do not receive the proper kind of
care and treatment, are reported to
the Child Welfare Board TO investi-
gate.
A few sick calls have also been
made, and in each case where bed
side care is required, it is given as
demonstration to the one in
charge.
At each school visited talks are
given on personal hygiene. 1t is sad
| to note what little attention is given
some children, such as cleansing
baths. head shampoo, etc. Cleanliness
of body and clothing (systemize) are
conductive to better health and
school efficiency, which lead to bet
ter citizenship.
Glasses in "home nursing are be
ing organized in Lake Crystal, Vernon
Center and Garden City, to be given
in the following six weeks. Course
will consist of twelve lessons in
practical points in nursing, such as,
cleansing bed baths, fever reducing
baths, sweats of all kinds, taking of
temperature and pulse, making of
poultices,. caring for the Invalid and
his comforts, etc.
The work of Miss Krogstad, city
nurse, was reported as follows: Four
hundred ninety six bedside nursing
visits have been made. The nature
of these visits is to make the patient
as comfortable as possible and by
fulfilling any orders the Doctor in
charge of the case, may give, such as
giving temperature reducing baths,
salt baths, hot packs. and various
kinds of sweats, cleansing bed paths,
alcohol rIbs and massage, giving or
medicines and other indications. The
temperature, pulse and respiration,
are always taken in any case. A
large number of these cases are OBJ
stetrical cases. where the baby and
mother are both given daily care,
usually for a period of ten to four
teen days. The diet and general
daily care of the patients are also
usually supervised.
Thirty-four visits to patients sui
Nring from tuberculosis, have been
made. This work is taken care of by
a Field worker for the County Public
Health association. but during her
leave of absence, the Visiting Nurse
has been called on. in several in
stances by the family or their
| friends. to come in and explain how
the patients may best care for them
selves and also how to prevent a fur
| Their spread of this dreaded disease.
An abundance of fresh air and sun
light and particular care of the
sputum, are especially emphasized.
Two hundred thirty infant welfare
visits have been made. ALL babies in
this CITY are called on during their
| first month, to see that they are re-
ceiving the proper care. The impor-
lance of breast feeding for every
baby, is strongly impressed on the
mother. During these calls an OPP
portunitv is usually found to instruct
| the mothers, especially the young
ones, in the general care of the baby.
A record is kept in the office Of
every baby visited and If there is any
indication that the child is not doing
! as well as a normal child should, a
second call is made within two OF
three weeks and followed up until
the child seems to be in perfect
| health.
Forty four prenatal visits were
made during these seven months and
seventy nine visits to schools. One
hundred eleven hours have been
spent in school, during which time,
six hundred fifty-nine pupils have
received a physical inspection. These
physical inspections include the test
ing of the child's eyes according to a
Snellen's eve chart, thirty-six Of the
above number being referred to the
oculist. The testing Of the hearing of
the ears by a watch and obtaining a
history Of former ear aches or dis
charge Of the ears Only four pupils
have been found to have an abnor
NAL hearing and have been referred
to a physician for a correction. The
throat and nose are also examined,
and if they appear abnormal, the
child is recommended to a physician
for examination and correction. or
the pupils who were examined during
the last seven months, two hundred
and two have been referred to a
medical examiner The teeth are then
examined and all cavities or irregu-
laritieS in the teeth are nptad Two