Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1917 — Campaign for Improvement Of Health Among People of Rural Districts Is Started. [ARTICLE]

Campaign for Improvement Of Health Among People of Rural Districts Is Started.

One of the most important conservation campaigns undertaker! in the United States is that started by the committee on health problems of the National Council of Education, under the guidance of Dr. Thomas D. Wood, professor of physical education in Teachers’ college, Columbia university. The campaign has for its purpose the improvement of health in the rural districts of the country. After careful investigation, Doctor Wood has found country school children less healthy, on the average, than city children. The reasons he believes to be largely found in careless disposal of waste matter In the country, in contaminated water, in Insufficient ventilation, in unbalanced rations, and in failure to have children examined by physicians and dentists. Doctor. Wood and his committee purpose to remedy these conditions through a campaign of education in the rural schools. The improvement -of eotrtHtions wilt- be accomplished through pointing out just what Is' wrong with present modes of living. In the cities health regulations have’ been enforced largely through police power, and are still evaded by some, who do not realize the importance of sanitary conditions. In the country, thinly settled as it is, the careful enforcement of minute regulations would be impossible. Improvement there will come through education, and improvement bmsed on education is a much more settled, more beneficial matter than improvement based on law.