University of Southern Mississippi - Southerner Yearbook (Hattiesburg, MS)

Page 18 text:

QMJPI1 Air Svrhnnla HE fact that there are many pupils in school ,... who are irregular in attendance and who fail to keep up with their grades has attracted the attention af many educators, philanthropists, and physicians. Upon investigation itis found that many of these pupils are tubercular or are frail, thin, and anemic. Knowledge of the value of cold fresh air, wholesome food, and rest as the cure of tuberculosis in f .1 suggested the establishment of fresh air schools for , ' it these deficient pupils, New York, Boston, and New- lh ark leading in the movement. . In September 1911 an open-air school was ' established in Newark for children having pulmonary tuberculosis. ETHEL DORRILL The building consists of a pavillion with a Leaks COUHW roof, open on all sides but having protection in awall extending three feet from the floor. N e ar the pavillion there is a building for the storage of the pupils' equipments and for the desks, seats, and blackboards. .Nearby another building consists of a rest-room and kitchen, the basement contains sanitary drinking fountains, wash basins, and toilets. k The corps of workers consists of two teachers, a janitor, and his wife who acts as coo . When the pupils arrive in the morning alight breakfast is servedg then the temperature of each is taken. Those of the two-hundred whose temperature is not abnormal put on outer garments, caps, sweaters, gloves, and overcoats-such as the season demands: and go to the pavillion where classroominstruction is given about three hours. The pavillion is not heated at ally when the pupils begin to get cold, they re- move their desks and take physical exercises. Those who have temperature as high as 99.5 are compelled to wrap themselves comfortably and recline in their chairs on the open porch. At noon class-room instruction ceases, and a hot substantial dinner is given the pupils, after which they retire to the rest room where no conversation is allowed for an hour and most of them sleep. After the rest-period an hour is given to manual train- ing and other occupational studies. A medical inspector visits the school daily, weighs each child, examines him for infectious diseases and consults with teachers and nurses in reference to those who re- quire special treatment. The school nurse visits the homes and shows parents the value of ventilation and cleanliness. From September 1911 to July 1913 the following results were obtained: 6070 of the pupils enrolled have been cured and 3957. have improved. The averaged gain in weight has been 85 lbs., and the average gain in hemoglobin is 7570: 337. have been transferred to their regluar classes in the public schools and 81070 have received promotion. Since fresh air is so effective in the cure and progress of tubercular children, should it not be supplied abundantly to all our pupils? Our schools can easily adopt many of the features of this fresh-air school. We can keep our windows wide open, regulate the heat properly, give our pupils physical exercises and rest periods, and dis- seminate hygienic information among our patrons. ETHEL DORRILL. 7

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EBEIIZIIIIPB :jgiltillll fur Thr mllfill Eliamilg BALANCED ration is one which furnishes the right proportion of each of the required elements of the body. Proteins constitute a A class of food which are tissue building. These are such foods as meats, beans, peas, fish, milk, eggs, butter, and cheese. Carbohydartes, which give heat and energy to the body, are starches and sugars. Fats, which also give heat and energy, are animal and vegetable products. We can readily see that the body needs all X ALMA COX these forms of nourishment. As a general rule, we Neshoba County have enough to satisfy our appetites, and perhaps, we have too much to eat. But does the food we eat furnish what the different parts of the body demand? If we eat carbohydrates only, how are the tissues to be built up? Weak, stunted and diseased bodies are more apt to be due to insufficient and poorly balanced rations than to any other cause. Do you know that imperfect digestion and accumulation of waste products in the body are the cause of nearly three-fourths of all diseases? Pellegra, the disease which has been the cause of so many deaths for the last few years, is caused, scientists tell us, by the lack of a balanced diet. This disease attacks the body which has been long nourished with a small protein and large carbohydrate ration. As a rule foods poor in protein are used because foods rich in proteins are more expensive. But even though protein foods are more expensive, they are cheap when compared with the cost of medicine, of human energy, and human life. A balanced meal does not necessarily mean a costly meal. By spending a little time in planting and working the garden, by canning vegetables and fruits for winter use, and by making use of milk and butter and pfultry products, any one can have a balanced meal all the year round at little cost. The invention of the modern canning machine makes it possible for every housewife to can her own food stuffs. Several families may own one canning machine and in this Way inexpensive and wholesome food may be provided. In the spring of the year the garden can be planted in beans, peas, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, and other vegetables. With these vegetables can be had fresh fruits from the orchard. In the fall, the garden can be planted in turnips and lettuce. By doing these things, the farmer provides for his family not only cheaper rations but balanced rations, the result is less medicine and better health. The following menu for one day makes up a well-balanced inexpensive ration: Breakfast Dinner Beans or Peas with Pork Cornbread Peaches or Baked Apples Stewed Tomatoes Mashed Potatoes Buttermilk Com Meal Mush Cream Lettuce Salad Cooked Dressing Eggs Biscuits Cocoa or Milk Pudding Supper Preserves Bread Rice Milk Butter ALMA COX. 6

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Uhr fllllnhrl 0Brgz1nigz1tinnin Henri iliinrr Glnuntg HE model organization in Pearl River County is conducted by a force consisting of lst, an assistant county superintendent: 2nd, a farm demonstratorg 3rd, a home economic agent: 4th, all- time county physiciang and 5th, two stenographers. The work is not entirely newg farm demonstrators, county health ofiicers, and home economics teachers have been at work in some sections for several years. However the method of conducting the work is new. IRMA DORRILL This staff is working co-operatively as an organized body with the school as a center and is trying to unify the work of the school and the home. Its pri- mary aim is to bring about better living conditions. Of all these workers the County health officer and the home science agent aid the people more directly in reference to hygiene and sanitation in the home and school, The county health officer gives his entire time to this work, for which he is paid an ample salary. His aim is to teach prevention of diseases rather than cureg he visits the schools and discusses with the children the economic and social value of public health and teaches them that they have a large part in promoting it. He shows that malaria can be prevented bv oiling and draining ponds and screening bedrooms: and that typhoid fever can be checked by destroying flies and their breeding places. He also emphasizes the importance of proper light and ventilation. Then he visits the homes and investi- gates the sanitary conditionsg and if he linds that they are not what they should be, he points out the defects and suggests the remedy. At the beginning of the school session he examines each pupil for any physical defects such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids, spinal curvature, defective hearing and sight, decayed teeth, tuberculosis, and various skin diseases. After this examination is made, he makes a report to the family physician: and the parents are expected to have the defects remedied. The home science agent also gives her entire time to her work. She visits the schools of the County and assists teachers in organizing poultry, sewing, and cooking clubs for the girls. She also organizes the women of the different communities into Clubs adapted to their special needs. One aim of these Clubs is to train the members in the method of selecting and preparing foods: to teach them the way to secure hygienic conditions for the homes especially in regard to cleanliness and ventilation: and to give them some intelligent information in the care of children. It is logical to suppose that the result of the work mentioned above will be better living conditions for better conditions are to come about by the home and school uniting their efforts in having high standards in community hygiene, sanitary homes, well prepared food, and children with strong healthy bodies. IRMA DORRILL. -- 's, Leake County 8