Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-01-18
THE COUNTY NURSE DEPT.
TO CURE IS THE VOICE OF THE
PAST, TO PREVENT is THE
VOICE OF THE FUTURE

dren has been in progress for many
years before the advent of the school
nurse, but was not brought into prom
inence until quite recently. The his
tory of medical inspection is rather
vague, but the history of the school
nurse is very definite, because it is so
recent.
In due time after overcoming
number of perplexing difficulties the
presence of the school nurse in the
Icity, and in the small town were soon
regarded as an essential part of the
school system. The boy and girl for
tunate enough to live in community
that employed one or more public
health nurses had the daily advantage
Of health instruction, visiting nurse
inspection and supervision, including
hygenic school surroundings. The
boy and girl living in the rural com
munity had no such health service as
this. These facts were soon recog-
nized, and the outcome of this recog-
milton is the County Public Health
Nurse. The county is the logical unit
for extending health work into the
rural districts. The public health
nurse is the logical agency for doing
the work, wisconsin Anti Tuberculo-
sis Association and it certainly seems
logical that the people living in a.
rural or small town community should
have the same right that city folks
have, to the best information that
modern medical science can give.
The people of today realize more
than ever before the value of not
only good education, but the import
ance of a normal, physical and mental
growth for all children. This is a
necessity for the future welfare of
our nation. This is speaking Of pub
lie health in large terms but it is true
as the children of today are the cit
liens of tomorrow, and they are going
to be no better or worse than the
present generation is going to make
them. We hold their future in our
hands.
School work is important, so is
health. Health first, then books.
This is good combination. There
are large numbers of school children
who are retarded in their school work
and the majority will be happier
and their school work would improve,
If proper attention would be given to
their food, sleep, and general health.
The amount of sleep, food, work, play,
and general care that children receive
and women they are going to be when
they grow up. The healht of the in
dividual determines in the majority of
cases his efficiency and earning ca
pacity. Caring for the health in the
individual saves time, energy, and
money, and insures comfort for all
concerned. It is, therefore, worth
while
To insure against diseases that fire.
quently come from defective teeth,
tonsils, adenoids, vision, and other
physical defects, every individual
should have at least one complete
physical examination yearly. At the
completion OF such an examination the
individual examined and his relatives
should not fear to be the recipients
of an HONEST diagnosis. Many doc
tors do not give it, because there are
many people who will not accept it,
They prefer fattering and soothing
statements to plain statements of ex-
isting facts.
The following health program is
now being planned to be carried out
in the Vernon County schools this
year:
One school inspection in each school
by the county nurse.
Systematic Weighing and measur-
ing of school children, using the ap-
proved Height and Weight Record for
each school.
A Health Chart in every school
room.
Special attention given retarded
children.
The use of milk and the serving of
hot lunches in the school.
One yearly medical examination for
all.
Prompt exclusion from school of
any child showing symptoms of any
communicable disease.
PALMA H. GRAIN County Nurse.