The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-06


 Acting Superintendent Cortright. and work of the clinic the average re- auction in dental carries for the entire school system was 33.98o. This was in 1919. In 1920 the reduction was 49.6Io and during 1921 69.34o show ing the practical working efficiency of the system. Repair clinics have not met the problem. They lack the educational vision and do not make health a personal matter, something for which one is responsible to him. self and society.
 School Health Clubs.
 Fifth, possibly the most important work of all and must be done by the sponsibility to capitalize all the ef- forts and to build it together solidly in a form to be utilized for health habits. This cannot be had without the correct emotional attitude and the clear understanding of the pleasures and advantages of healthful living. 6choolroom Health Clubs can be made a strong influence The pupil must get the thought that perfect health conditions are highly desirable to obtain and retain.
 Leaving the matter to textbook treatment alone will not get the re- suits Connecticut in 1886 placed on her statute books requirements that y taught from books in all grades. and then apparently forgot all about it. The work should at least cover the following:
 Nourishment and proper selection of foods
 Cleanliness and sanitation.
 Fresh air and sunshine.
 Comfortable clothing and shoes.
 Good posture.
 While all these topics are import ant, the second alone has possibilities of almost revolutionizing the lives of the coming generation. The under nourished condition of Americas children in this land with never famine, but always a large food sur plus, shows a real lack of intelligent thought. The schools have a great work before them here. Our highly demineraIized diet-white flour. pol ished rice, pearled barley, etc. leads directly to our great American symptom and disease-constipati
 This coupled with our over-con- sumption of refined white sugar, with it's attack in the body on the calcium content of the tissue, bone and blood, must not be permitted to go unchal- lenged. To measure food values alone in caIories in this land of plenty is ludicrous, if not so serious in it's ef- ects. What mootS it if we have all the food in the world and are unable to assimilate it? These point the way IOI d Icd1 4l1SoSdSc l1ldL lllC teacher can and must put across in a health program that shall guaran- tee that for the future the defects now known to exist shall be reme- died.
 Compulsory Health Education.
 The only place that every family Is represented and can be approached is in the public schools The inaugura- ton of compulsory health education in the schools will do more to per .1S oI1x- -iT1,1 Inf a for the great mass of children than all other measures combined. even though it requires a generation to accomplish the results
 The state must assume the respOn- sibiIity for the health as well as the education of it's children and there is no more effective way of bringing parents and children to realization a definite physical standard from every school child. thereby ap- plying retardation to the physically defective as well to the mentally deficient child. When a child's pro- gress in school is equally dependent upon his physical as much as on his mental ability the report showing de- fective ears, eyes, Or teeth will not be lightly regarded by either parent or child.
 Health Program.
 To summarize: Any comprehens- i've health program for schools should at least e1nDCaC6 the 1OllOW1ilS.
 l. Program of physical training ac- tivities, embracing games, caliStnenics. recesses, competitive ath- letics. recreation tramping- A con- structive effort upon the child's body.
 ?. Program for controlling growth This to operate through medical inspection, dental clinics, and the work of nurses or hygienists. This should be operated as corrective and prophy1actic department
 3. Program for right and efficient living: This is largely operative through the teacher. Her aim must be health habits Here is the work to unify. organize, inspire and evalu- ate. This is a study and practice 
 | Compulsory health education which shall make promotion at some time imp ossible when the child is car rying forward with him rem ediable defects whose removal or correction is not dangerous and the presence of which in all pToba bility render him a less efficient citizen.