The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-06-02
THE HEALTH CENTER
Conducted by Viola Hahn. Pubic
Health Nurse
The Growing Child

The Growing Child
A series of articles presented T..
the readers OF this paper by the
United States Public Health Ser
vice, the Maryland State Board OF
Health and the County Health
officer.
Morning Inspection.
In the daily life of every chilu
there are certain things so import
ant from the standpoint of health
that every mother should assure
herself of their observance by dill
gent observation and inquiry. The
best time for this inspection is in
the morning before the child starts
for school. Make the hour early
enough to allow the child to attend
to any point which he has forgotten
or neglected. Children are very
apt to forget things which are not
habitual and this inspection should
be continued until correct health
habits are an integral part of the
enlld'S daily lie.
Notice first the cleanliness of the
skin, as every mother will because
of it's bearing on her pride in the
child's appearance and self respect.
But apart from the question OF
ordinary decency, cleanliness of the
skin has it's bearing on the question
of health. If the skin is kept clean
and in tonic condition by frequent
bathing, 1t will relieve the kidneys
Of much work that would otherwise
fall upon them.
After satisfying yourself that the
child's bathing has been properly
attended to, learn IL he has eaten
any breakfast. Investigations made
in several large cities revealed that
startling number of children go to
school without any breakfast or a
very unsatisfactory one. No won
der what malnutrition is so preva-
lent. 1t is we'll known fact that
many children have little appetite
for breakfast but when the de-
mands that mental and physical
growth make upon a child in school
are realized, every effort will be
made to induce the child to take
some food before leaving in the.
morning. Though the establishing
Of school lunches should be part of
every system of school hygiene, this
fact does not relieve the home of it's
responsibility.
i Has the child's teeth heen care
fully brushed after breakfast?
Since the relation of defective teeth
to disease has been recognized,
widespread attention has been paid
to the care of children's teeth. When
particles Of food are left around the
teeth, the ever-present bacteria
bring about fermentation and putre-
faction, acids are set free which at
tack the enamel and decay begins.
Hence, the Importance of cleaning
the teeth is plainly seen, and an
alkaline mouth wash, such as milk
OF magnesia, lime water, and salt
and water. should be used. Chill
dren should be taught to thoroughly
masticate their food.
Has the child been to the toilet?
Constipation is one of the most
troublesome and common complaints
OF both children and adults, and
nothing is more conducive of this
condition than neglect of regular
evacuation of the bowels. Training
IN the habit of regular bowel move
ments should be begun in infancy,
and as the child grows older he
should never be allowed to neglect
this hygienic duty. He will fire.
quently be in such a hurry to run
out to play or to be off to school |
that he will be careless in the matter
II he is not carefully supervised.
Notice his posture, remembering
the important relation this bears to |
MS general health and self respect.