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the last year of school life, stress being laid particularly on the
civic side of health. It is not suggested that the method indicated
should usurp the place of present arrangements.
In 1928 the Board of Education published their Handbook of
Suggestions on Health Education, a manual intended to be complementary
to the Board's "Handbook of Suggestions for Teachers."
The enquiries mentioned previously showed that the handbook was
not invariably used. This handbook is divided into two parts. In
Part I. is given subject matter for 12 lessons on Health Practice
and Health Talks for young children. Part II. gives notes for 15
Health lessons for older children. The subject matter of the lessons
for Part I. can be dealt with just as effectively by Head
Teachers as by doctors of medicine if the handbook is followed.
For the lessons outlined in Part II. it is felt, however, that they
would be more pointed if given by doctors and should the Committee
approve of the principle put forward the syllabus submitted
to them would be based on these lessons. Each lesson would
occupy about three quarters of an hour, so that it would be necessary
to allocate some 11 hours for this purpose. Adolescents in
their last term at school would be probably the best material to
instruct.
For the information of the Committee, the headings of the
fifteen lessons suggested are (,1) the Human Body, (2) Nutrition,
(3) Fresh Air and Sunlight, (4) Cleanliness, (5) Exercise and
Rest, (6) Warmth and Clothing, (7) Care of the Eyes and Ears,
(8) Care of the Teeth, (9) Bodily and Mental Health, (10) Communicable
diseases and how to avoid them, (11) First Aid in Emer
gencies and Sickness of Childhood, (12) Elementary Science and
Health Education, (13) Other Subjects in the School Curriculum
and Health Education, (14) Events in the History of Preventive
Medicine as illustrated by lives of great Pioneers in Health, (15)
Work of the Public Health and School Medical Services,
These subjects would be dealt with as far as possible by lady
doctors for the girls' schools and by men for the boys' schools. Each
lesson would be supplemented by typed notes which the scholars
would retain. If it was felt that in order to complete the course
an examination should be held, the medical staff of the School
Medical Service would be glad to give all the assistance demanded,
a preliminary until the scheme had justified itself the full series
lessons need not be given, a commencement being made with
some half a dozen.