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Show Health Heroes FIFTY years ago every man, woman and child in the world was threatened by lurking dangers against which there was no protection. From time to time epidemics of contagious diseases raged through communities. The doctors of those days did their best to cure but were largely powerless to prevent sickness. Small wonder that strange beliefs were associated with the prevention of diseases, the causes of which were unknown. There is a record in an old book of English customs of many curious charms to ward off disease- powdered snake-skins to prevent typhoid; a live spider in a peach-stone basket hung around the neck as a preventive of scarlet fever; garden snails and earth-worms steeped in beer to check consumption. In our own day, some of us were told that a bag of sulphur worn on the chest would prevent diphtheria. From Superstition to Knowledge- Until 1876 not one doctor among thousands knew what caused contagious disease. It was in that year-less than fifty years ago-that Louis Pasteur, great French scientist, startled the world by announcing his discovery of germs as a cause of disease. It was the key to the mystery of the cause and prevention of contagious diseases. The history of medicine from that time reads like a romance-a wonderful story of achievement, of work and struggle, disappointment and hope-and constant fight against the ignorance Lucky Little Qirll Fortunate are the youngsters born in this day-whose parents can use the marvelous gifts of modern medical science to prevent sickness. The splendid work of the Health Heroes is bringing longer, healthier, happier life to millions. which cloaked diseases. In just four short years, from 1880 to 1884, were discovered the germs of pneumonia, typhoid, tuberculosis, cholera, erysipelas, d i p h t h e r i a and tetanus, usually called lockjaw. FromKnowledgeto Action- Now that we know the cause and know how to fight disease, how can we best apply this knowledge to keep our children well? The schools of the country, supplementing the work of health officers, provide a natural place for the beginnings of health education. Cooperate with the school. Aid the teacher who is striving to interest your child in the practice of health habits. Have your child examined by your physician. Have him inoculated against the dread diseases which formerly took thousands of lives. Every year the fight against disease goes on - a tremendous war! Every year the rules of health laid down by the great Health Heroes, are being better understood and followed. To secure the desired result - healthy boys and girls-parents, teachers, specialists, doctors, nurses, as well as the school janitor must join hands with health officers in campaigns for healthier and happier childhood. f • r % fa c> rmJ I m The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company recognizing the importance of the great work that 1,000,000 teachers are doing in promulgating health practices has organized a school health bureau under the guidance of eighteen well-known educators of the United States and Canada. These men and women, as the Metropolitan's educational advisory group, are pointing the way in which the Company can best assist educators in school health campaigns. The advisory group has approved a program which includes the printing of special booklets, leaflets, and charts for use by the teacher in class instruction. A book of instructions for the school janitor has also been prepared. Through cooperation with parents-teachers associations and women's clubs, the message of child health is being spread in many communities. The Company's agents are carrying a similar message to millions of homes. A series of pamphlets, "Health Heroes'*, for the use of Junior and Senior High School students has been prepared. Although intended primarily to assist school teachers, they will, upon request, be sent to others interested in child health. HALEY FISKE, President. Published by METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY-NEW YORK Biggest in tkeWorld, More Assets, More Policyholders. More Insurance inforcetMore new Insurance eachyear "Mention the Geographic-It identifies you." |