The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-12
WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCH
 ING HOME


 WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCH
 ING HOME
 Members of Parent Teacher asso- citations, please pay attentlon' School boards, superintendents: principals, you may run out ana iav while I talk with the parents and teachers about two important subjects, namely, the health or children and the education ot cnli- dren.
 Unfortunately the apportionment of tax funds to the schools, a1 least in some states or provinces, depends on the attendance record of the school or schools in the dls- trict. Therefore school boards, su- perintendents, principals, and some times even teachers who hope N curry favor with their superiors urge pupils to come to school no matter if they have mere "colo., and not spoil the schools or school rooms high attendance record. Now this is vicious practice, O! course, It contributes to the spread of several epidemic diseases which so commonly pass (and pass It , right) in the earlier stage as "a cold" such diseases, stupid. as dipn- theria, scarlet fever, measles, ln- fantile paralysis-and neither health officer nor practicing physician will deny this.
 But the practice is shortslghteo from the schoolboard's supWinteno- dents or principals point of view. for the child who comes to Scnool in spite of an alleged mere cold is likely to share his or her ln- lection with several other children who happen to be within conVer- sational spray range-don't be de" ceived by the hackneyed advice to cover coughs and sneezes, for po- lite conversation carries germ or virus laden sprays just as coughing or sneezing does, only the conver- sational spray range is not so great. less than five feet. The consequence is that, instead of one pupil oelng absent from school on or two or three days, several pupils will oe absent for one or two or three days each. It piles up.
 And you parents and teachers must be blamed for entrusting the school or schools in the district to | the management of such ignorant people
 When Johnny comes marching home with a not from teacher or nurse explaining that he had bet ter not attend school on account I sniffing. or whatever sign of some 1 developing illness or indlsposltlon Johnny presents, don't show your ignorance by resenting it, but thank your lucky stars your school is ID charge of an alert teacher, nurse, physician, health officer or whoever it may be that spots Johnny's inno- cent plan to sabotage the schools health and attendance record.
 If Johnny's indisposition proves trivial and he enjoys every minute of the freedom from school, that makes no difference at all. I say you should be glad your Johnny is privileged to attend such a well managed school.
 QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
 Ripe Old Age
 At the ripe old age of 36 I find myself at last going to have baby. Of course we are tickled pink, but at the same time fear it may go hard with me because of my age. The event will be late September and people tell me summer babies are hardest to raise. (Mrs. P. H0 lat c though you wrote it in 1892. No reason why you should not have g. normal delivery. Send stamped en- velope bearing your address, and inclose ten cents for Preparing for Maternity" If you would like also The Brady Baby Book in- close ten cents for it. Service men or their wives may have both booklets with my best wishes, if they provide a stamped self ads dressed envelope.
 Old J. B. Always Wins
 My husband is good and kind but he has grown so stubborn-he never used to drink at all, now he says he has to have it, and every few weeks goes on a spree. He insists it doesn't hurt any one and says it is my fault don't go and drink with him. (Mrs. L. MD
 Answer-Im sorry, Ma'am, but that's the same old line drinkers have taken from the year 1. Old John Barleycorn always wins the bout, but each new contender takes just that line in the earlier rounds. Send ten. cents and stamped en- velope bearing your address, for booklet "Dipsomania."
 Insufficient Mineral
 What is your advice as to the minerals one needs to maintain good health. (K. c. D. i Answer-If the diet is not too greatly restricted to refined foods there is little likelihood of mineral deficiency, except calcium defi- ciency, which is the most common mineral deficiency, and in some sections of the country iodine de. f1ciency. Send stamped envelope bearing your address, for pamphlet Instructions for Taking an Iodin Ration" Inclose ten cents if you want also the booklet "The Calcium Copyright 1945, John F. Dille Col
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