The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
HEALTH AND LUNCH

Only a few days more-then "vaca- - tion" will be only a memory and thing to recall from the photo album: The school bells almost ringing and for both mother and Little Tommy reality and its definite round of work and routine begins again. And there are many things to do between pack ing away the bathing suit and tennis racquet and getting the pencils sharpened and the lunch box filled!
 First, how about Elsies eyes or Tommy's teeth? While summer sports have strengthened flabby muscles and burned on a deep coat of tan, they may have allowed teeth or eyes to be neglected. Certainly no chllo should be allowed to enter school un- less he has had previous healtn examination" on these points. In the feiy months of summer, cavities may have developed that at the first touch of as chill wind will con1ure up horrid toothache. And that will mean keeping Tommy out of school, missing lessons and uniting him TOT good school work. Why not antfct- pate. the ache by a short conference with the dentist now and at once, be-J fore the school bell rings?
 Or if Elsie wears glasses, is 1t not probable that the lenses nu her slght should be re- examined in the fall De- fore she has to pore over, hic, haec, hoe. or prove why a straight line is the shortest distance between two given points? When we are assured by leading physicians that ministry may give way because of an acnlng tooth, or that improperly adjusted sight causes bad temper, neglect or studies and even truancy, then pre- cautions as +o both teeth and eyes be- ing in the best of condition must be taken by every parent. DO IL now is the best slogan for the mother or children of school age.
 Getting children outfitted with clothing is not all of school prepara- tion, Do they need a school bag? Do they tako their lunch, and thus need a lunchboX? Are mothers pantry and food shelves in readiness for making a daily nourishing portable me -lF
 The best type of lunchbox is that which has space for a small vacuum bottle and a compartment for sand Wiches. These are now made in such attractive styles as to resemble small suitcases or the neat portfolio of the piano tunef! For next to having properly planned luncheon proylded at cost by every school (which IS an ideal that every mother should work towards), the right of every oh i'd Is to have a nourishing and appetizins package luncheon if distance prevents a noon meal at home.
 The small vacuu.m bottle permits a
 
 needed drink to accompany otherwise dry foods. Hot cocoa, cold milk, hot soup, can easily be carried withou. spilling and at the same temperature in such bottle. A eollapsible drink ing cup should be always provided so tni. each child may have it's own safety first" drinking glass. Some boxes have neat tin inner compart- ment with tight lid which keeps the foods separate, moist and neat. Tho more varied and attractive the lunch the more likely the child will eat it.
 Packages of paper napkins or towels are among the first articles to be purchased for the 'lunch drawer" which should be in every mothers pantry or kitchen cabinet. A ball Of string, a roll of waxed or oiled paper and several small glass containers with tight lids are also necessary.
 One busy mother with three chill dren taking lunch evolved the plan of devoting an entire shelf to lunch box purposes. This plan centralized all the utensils and many of the foods daily needed to make the lunches. Here she placed and kept permanently d small wooden board and sharp knife for making sandwiches; several fancy sandwich cutters of tin, jar of peanut butter, jam and marmalade;' small pickles, mustard. jar of nut meats and a box of sweet chocolate which Sne QOleu out udiiy III pldco of the candy they might otherwise have begged.
 By grouping all these small articles in one convenient ce and shelf. with a lunch drawer" underneath she was able to very rapidly make up the three lunches. which was indeed some thing of a task, in addition to get ting a prompt breakfast. The older girl cut and buttered the bread. anu prepared the sandwiches. and thus started early training which might later be valuable in running tea room or some similar venture.
 When the school bell rings, will little Tommy be ready, not only with new clothes, but with every part of his small body engine looked over, repaired and in good running order for the school Marathon? And will mother also be ready with the right foods, the best care and watchfulness in short, prepared as ..'trainer" to see that Tommy wins In llfeS rn,tcl, bapdioapnad rapa7