The Columbus dispatch., 1921-04-03
ISSUES STATEMENT
OF CHILD WELFARE

Ut. r. j. underwood, director OF
me bureau Of Child Welfare for Mis-
sissippi, has issued the following
statement to the people of Lowndes
/. county relative to the work now being
conducted in this section under the
/. direction of the State Bureau:
To the People of Lowndes county:
At the present time most of the
Countries of the world are turning
their thoughts to the question Of
Child Welfare. We nre at the begin
ing of a new Era which will also
recognize the mother of the child, 1t
has been said by some that to have
healthy child you must begin with
it's grandmother. We are content to
tart with the mother.
The conservation and cultivation of
he child's health are recognized today
fundamental and essential factors
il the program of Public Education.
, 1t was a stunning indictment of our
democracy that the tragedy of the
world war was needed to reveal such |
vital source of national peril and
weakness.
Statistics show that forty per cent
of the young men at the age of the
lower of manhood unfit for first class
ervice in the defense of the country
n time of war.
If they are unfit for first class ser
vice in time of war, they are unfit
or best service to themselves and to
heir families in time of peace. An
economic loss that can hardly be over
estimated. 1t has been known by
ONE for years before the war, that
hree fourths of the twenty two mil
ion school children in the United
tates have health defects, which are
actually or potentially injurious to
them as prospective good citizens of
he republic
Efforts in this health program for
> child welfare have so far been spas
modic and .incoordinate. Standards
are needed for genuine constructive
progress in this branch of health
work. The following program will be
carried out in Mississippi by the Bu-
4 r,au during 1921 with such additions
changes as may be deemed neces-
slry or advisable:
/. Weigh and measure all school chill
dren.
d Physical examination of school chill.
h tlren.
Follow up work by Public Health
d Nurse to obtain corrections of defects.
h Nutrition clmics.3 "a
IS Health center in each county with
Baby and pre-school clinics; Prena-.
t tai clinics; Classes for young moth.
Y ,crs; Clinics as needed locally.
County health organization.
; Prenatal letters.
n Birth registration-b book.
4 Newspaper service, educational.
Our Units in Lowndes, Lincoln,
! Copiah and Walthall counties are
doing good work. Will begin work in
Noxubee county March %.
The Directors and Consultant attend
. ed the Copah county field meeting at
: Gallman Friday, March 18 and after
l making addresses presented health
buttons to five students, who had met
the Mississippi health standard for,
! 1921, which is as follows:
Ears--Hearing normal no evidence
: of disease or inflammation.
Eyes-Vision normal or corrected
] by glasses, no evidence of disease or
Inflammation.
Nose-No adenoids, no other OBJ
truction.
Throat-No diseased or enlarged
. tonsils, no inflammation.
Mouth-No untitled cavities in
teeth, teeth clean, showing evidence
8 of daily care, gums healthy.
Skin-No eruption, scalp clean, and
] free from pediculosis
Lungs-No evidence of disease,
. chest expansion at least two inches.
Northumberland pox) Good
scar or certificate of recent vaccina-
: tion.
Nutrition Weight normal or not
I more than ten pounds over weight,
= free from hookworm as shown by a
. negative report.
Every school child IN the county
] will be examined for intestinal
worms and those found infected will
: be given treatment free of cost. This
is the only treatment given by the
] Child Welfare Unit Physician. Lown-