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hospital- also they are expected to do ' one good deed a day.' As a result of these
practices the children are taught from the moment they enter school by example of
their school companions, and the efforts of the teachers to observe the rules and
mottoes of the Junior Red Cross, and as an ultimate result of this they not only
improve their bodily health, but also are made conscious of their social duties towards
others. It is more than remarkable to note the rapidity with which this scheme has
shown fruit. The head mistress reports that the medical and dental inspections
show an increasingly high ratio, and what is more pleasing is the zest which these
tiny children sh ow towards helping the sick and the eagerness with which ' tiny
mites bring tightly clutched in their hot little hands' scraps of silver paper. I
think this movement does an enormous amount of good not only towards building
up a healthy body, but what is equally important a healthy mind.
" (ii) Harper Street Girl's School.—I visited Harper Street Girl's School on the
13th February. This school formed a ' Link ' of the Junior Red Cross Section in
November, 1927. As in West Square each child before being admitted as a member
has to pass the nurse's ' Cleanliness Test.' They are then given the ' Health
Laws ' cards and are told that they are expected to observe the maxims thereon.
Badges are issued at the cost of two pence each to those who are willing to observe
the conditions of membership. The badges are liable to summary removal without
refund of purchase money should the holder through fault of her own fail to satisfy
the conditions of membership or ' come to grief ' at the periodical examinations of
personal hygiene made by the school nurse, but may be returned when the cause of
removal has been remedied and the delinquent's personal condition is satisfactory
for one month. In the future the head mistress hopes to have issued from the Junior
Red Cross, certificates which will be given to all members who have observed the
conditions for a complete year.
" Inspections are carried out twice daily by class mistress, and each child has a
special book tabulated thus :—Date/ Teeth/ Hair/ Neck/ Ears/ Hands/ Nails/
Boots/ Handkerchief/. This book is marked by the teacher at each inspection and
the marks obtained for each section are tabulated at the end of the week. Those
who present unsatisfactory totals are reported to the head mistress and are liable to
lose their badges. Handkerchief display and breathing exercises are taken every
day, arid nose breathing encouraged. In addition to individual inspection by classmistress,
the head mistress from time to time summons the whole or part of the school
to the hall and conducts a ' surprise ' inspection. This inspection consists of general
examination of personal cleanliness, and handkerchief display. Any child who
appears tired or flagging is noted and questioned as to bed time hours and parent
sent for and advised. The importance of fresh air is fully stressed by means of
' talks.' Girls are advised to keep their windows always open as much as possible.
Drill and games are in the open whenever it is possible.
" In this school also the children are encouraged to observe the ' mottoes '
set up by the Junior Red Cross section. Tin foil is collected and sold and the money
together with the proceeds of a ' farthing collection ' is being accumulated with the
intention of eventually endowing a cot at Guy's hospital. The ' good deed' is also
encouraged. In addition to these a third principle—' Lets be friendly with other
Nations'—is promoted by means of posters, and also by correspondence and exchange
of calendars with schools of foreign nations and the colonies—also links of the
Junior Red Cross section. In this school the ' link' is only in its infancy, being
barely three months in existence. The head mistress later on hopes to institute
classes in health and hygiene.
" (iii) Priory Grove School, Girls' Department.—I visited this school on the 14th
February, 1928. This school became a ' link ' of the Junior Red Cross, two years
ago. The preliminary conditions of membership are identical with the other two