Evening star., 1922-12-10

two dozen eager-faced boys and
girls had just filed into the room
and taken seats facing the black
board side of the room. An alert
and Smiling young woman was
standing near the blackboard ex-
planning to the children what the
red zig-zag lines indicated on the
row of charts hung from a wire be-
fore the class. Each pupil saw his
or her name on one of these charts
in large black letters at the top ana
below the name on each chart the
physical progress of the child so
named was registered by the course
of the red zig-Zag line in relation TO
a diagonal black line drawn from a
column of figures at the left. me
latter line showed the normal stand.
ard of weight for a normal child o!
the same age. The red line recorded
the actual gain of the child in weight
from week to week.
Glad News Proclaimed.
"AIl those whose chart record shows
a gain in weight up to or above the
normal health line may stand up, said
the Young lady. before her class, after
going over the list Of chart records IN
dividually. And up jumped five lively
boys of ages varying from about eight
to twelve.
Next week you may go with me to
the health clinic for a test to find out II
you are now entitled to your recovery
cards." continued the lady with bright
smile. At which the faces OF the nve
lads fairly shone with responsive smiles
of joy and hope.
Recovery. That was the magic word
that meant so much to those five young
sters, as it was also the incentive and
hope of the others whose red zig-zag
chart line still Jagged below the higher
line of normality.
Recovery rather than segregation !!
That is, back with their former class
mates in their regular grade, rather than
separation and quarantine. That is the
true sequence of purpose in this educa-
tional and protective work for the COM
munity. Each child is led to UNDER
stand that he or she has chance to
overcome its particular chest weakness,
which a previous physical examination
by the school physician may have dis
closed-that is. that it has this chance
provided the advice of the health teach
er and clinical expert is followed faith
fully as to food. rest, habits Of clean
illness and good cheer.
But along with the chance for recov-
cry of the i'll child goes the other equally
vital consideration of its temporary sep
aration in school from the other school
children, who are thus far shown to be
free from signs of any lung trouble and
whom it is the aim of the health author
tiles and the tuberculosis Association
TO keep well.
"Real Forward Onensive."
It was a real forward offensive
in the fight for healthier Washing
ton when two schools were set aside,
one for white and the other for COL
ored children, for the special care
and training of tuberculosis children.
To make those schools as effective
as possible, not only as places for
so0rapatiper these 1aSS to Jitf1o
folks, but also to give to them the
best possible chance for recovery of
health and strength, is highly i'm
portant undertaking to which the
tuberculosis Association has given
its financial support, in addition to
it's nutrition clinics for underweight
children, it's school lunches, in the
open-air classes. its occupational
therapy work at the tuberculosis
Hospital and health day camp, and
many other practical forms of pub
lie service advice and information.
During the past year Miss Mar
garet Craig, one of the trained clin-
ical workers employed by the Tuber-
culosis Association, has been in charge
Of the nutrition clinics for the two
anti-tuberculosis schools, the Hamil
has been supplied with the health
charts and other equipment used in
connection with the records thus
kept. All the health work is under
the direction of the school physician.
DR.. Wilson. The association also has
employed an experienced cook to as
sist the school dietician, Miss Good
pasture. in the preparation of the spe-
cial lunches for the children sent to
these schools.
serfou. Handicap Stated.
a,a ~ tho most serious handfcans
under which these pupils labor Is the
great distance which many Of them
must travel in order to reach the
special school assigned for them. On
the Hamilton register there are now
about fifteen such children who are
unable to attend. the reason for their
absence being given that the school