Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1923-02-22
THE HEALTH CRUSADE
IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OF PAYETTE COUNTY


Mrs. Francis wann, the sta
nurse sent oD-Dynthe tsahf '
Z tuberculosis ! Assd lat pm, ~
t week concludin mon spe
. inspecting tip Use boFof dPaet'
County. Durita- .th&paH three xeef
Mrs. Wanu has visited New Fl.
month and al the rural schools !
the County, while this week she
, engaged In Fruitland.
statistics show that thirty-three pc
cent of all of the children OF "a
United states suffer from malnutrl
ton This does not necessarily mea
insufficient food for the condition !
most 40 prevelant In wealthy nome
az In poor ones--but Is due 70 Vari
GUS other causes. Mrs. Wann. Wh'
speciaIizes In the study OF unde
nourfshed and under average chlid
! rem cites DR.. Emmerson's five causes
Z OF maInutrition as follows:
1. Physical defects, (Enlargeo
tonsils, adenoids, ets.)
I 2. Lack of home control (toe
much candy, rich food, and late
hours.)
y. over 1dtlBue.
4. Faulty Food habits, (impro-
per food, eating between meals, I'M
proper mastication).
S. Faulty Health Habits, (lr-
regular hours, lack of fresh air, In
sufficient sleep, etc.
It IL to fight these five (Which she
considers the roots Of all evi) that
Mrs. Wann devotes all her time,
knowledge and skill.
To put in the field day with the
nurse IL perhaps the only way to
gain clear insight into the value
and Importance of the work being
done along these lines.
1t has recently been the privilege
Of the writer to spend such a day
IN what Is probably a typical school,
lot only In the West, but in any
'ural community In the United States.
The school bell has finished ring
ng, teacher and pupils are in their
,laces, the scale has been set up, the
ardstick tackled to convenient
oor jamb, and Mrs. Wann is ready
o begin the days work. An atmos-
here of expectancy prevailed the
chool room, as the visiting nurse
utlined her plan of campaign.
First the boys having removed
heir shoes. were lined up again at
10 yard stick BY the teacher and
leasured, and, having first stated
ieir respective ages, were weighed
= Mrs. Wann. 1t was interesting
nd At the same time pathetic to note
10 eagerness Of these youngsters to
easure and weigh up to the pre-
ribbed standards. The 'star pupils"
'turned to their seats beaming with
ride and satisfaction, while those
no we're weighed and found want
ls." stepped from the scale with a
ok In their eyes that said as plainly
wordS, "It's all right fellows, I'll
AXE It next time"
Next the girls underwent the same
'sts, reaching much the same way
the boys. 1t Is worthy of note
lat there was not a child in the
,om, large or small, boy or girl
no displayed an attitude of care
ssness, indifference, or defiance All
ere interested, eager, ACOUSTIC after
eng weighed, each pupil went IN
Inc desk, there to answer a com
'ehensive QUESTIONABLE, as to his
'alth habits. food habits and pre-
GUS ailments, the answers beinp
ltered upon card bearing his
'me. The nurse then examined the
'rs, eyes, nose and throat of each
lild, the conditions found also be-
entered on the pupils card.
Ae-ehis juncture school adjourned
r luneh. a. aocsable meal enjoyed
Ra i,.aehsr, pupils and visiting
with Ahs stasins in.o Of school,
anne unDtion OF the work. xhieh, /
onsistedf Of tests Of ~sight and hear
-. s. ssss'as
fAscnaH such as opticians pse wos
ispended in favorable light. each
turn, the pupils were placed At
stance OF twenty feet from tb,s ;
art, and covering first one and
en- the other, they read down the
les as far as was possible without {
raining the vision. Here as in the !
Filler tests, lively spirit of com
'tition was manifest.
For the test Of hearing the pupils
God with his hands covering his
'es. his thumbs protruding. The /
lrse, behind him, held her waeh out l
arms length, first on one side. of
e subjects head, then on the other, /
adually bringing 1t closer the child l
ing instructed to "wiggle his :
umb" on the side where, and at
Q moment, when the sound became 6
Idfble. Absorbed and absolute :
ence. reigned in the room during
ese tests. S
Last in order we're the handker- t
ief and toothbrush drills, the first a
these being acted and sung to the c
ne of Here, We Go Round the
llberry Bush" Boys and girls alike
rticipated with zest in both. drills. '
is concluded the nurses work with q
9 children. L
A notable feature Of the days pro- a
sdings was that in no way were
BY permitted to interfere with the F
TOOL routine. During only one S
ur. in the afternoon, was the at F
ltion OF the whole room occupied, t
the remainder of the time, the n
pills were taken from their studies II
y for the brief time necessary for ?
examination of each individual, Il
lie the children at the resks went
city on with their work.
Hrs. Wann, who is anxious to