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96
department and in two Girls' departments have been made by Dr. Ethel Timon,
and upon a " Link " in a Boys' department, by Dr. C. W. J. Ingham.
Dr. Timon's
report on
Junior Red
Cross Organisation
at
three schools.
" The Junior Red Cross is a branch of the British Red Cross Society. It was
founded in Canada about 1919, has now expanded to a membership of ten million,
and has ' Links ' in thirty-seven countries. Its aim is to promote the general wellbeing
of the children by instilling into them from a very early age the elementary
principles of personal cleanliness and hygiene.
"(i) West Square Infants' School.—I visited this school on the 10th February,
1928. This ' Link ' was formed two years ago. As each child applies for admission,
the parent is given a card called ' Health Laws ' and is told that she is expected
to co-operate in their observance. This card contains seven elementary rules of
hygiene: (1) Wash the hands before meals. (2) Brush the teeth and hair night
and morning. (3) Breathe through your nose. (4) Windows open night and day
(5) Play in the open air as much as you can. (6) Early to bed—10 hours'sleep—
and early to rise. (7) Wash all over with soap and warm water as often as you can.
" Each child before becoming a member has to qualify by passing the school
nurse's ' cleanliness test,' i.e., (1) Each boy and girl must have his or her own
tooth-brush and handkerchief. (2) Short clean nails. (3) Clean hands. (4)
Perfectly clean hair. (5) Must not bite nails. (6) Must be clean and tidy generally.
" When this standard is obtained and maintained for one month a badge is
presented. These badges cost two pence, and are proudly worn by the members.
A card containing the names of the members hangs up in the classroom. The class
mistress examines the children twice daily and notes conditions of hands, nails,
necks, knees, boots and shoes as to their cleanliness and inquiries whether teeth
have been washed night and morning. Any child found wanting in these respects
has his or her badge removed and a red dot placed on the enrolment card after his
or her name. Every child must show a clean handkerchief each morning and afternoon.
To ensure this handkerchief drill is taken each morning and nose breathing
also promoted. When the children all assemble in the hall at 10 a.m., the head
mistress has a general survey as to personal hygiene—there is a general handkerchief
display and further breathing exercises and handkerchief drill. From the
earliest moment the children are taught to breathe through their noses. First
they are taught how to clear the nasal passages. The children are lined up and
made to blow into handkerchiefs five times, and following that they do deep
breathing exercises for five minutes.
" In addition to the inspections carried out by the class mistress, the head
mistress from time to time carries out a personal inspection. This consists of
inspection of general personal cleanliness during the course of which she notes the
general health. If a child is noted as looking tired inquiries follow as to that child's
bed-time hour, whether windows are kept open at night, etc. If necessary parent
is sent for and advised. This inspection is followed by further handkerchief display,
any child without a suitable handkerchief is questioned and if the explanation is not
satisfactory the badge is removed until the defect is righted, every day for a week.
At the close of each year the secretary of the Junior Red Cross Section attends the
school and presents certificates to the children who have obeyed the rules and not
had their badges removed during that time.
" In addition to personal cleanliness the head mistress sees that the general
rules of hygiene are carried out as far as school life is concerned. School windows
are kept open as much as practicable. Play in the open air is encouraged to its
fullest extent. Posters are displayed around the school illustrating the advisability
of fresh air, of brushing teeth, and of other principles of hygiene and health.
" In addition to hygiene and health the Junior Red Cross has special mottoes—
' Help the sick,' ' Serve one another.' The children are encouraged to live up to
these. For this purpose all members collect tin foil which is sent to the London