HEALTH NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 554, 5 January 1929, Page 16

HEALTH NOTES

Contributed by the Department of Health.)

Habitual disregard of cleanliness, whether in the individual' or his surroundings, is responsible for much that is disagreeable, and of social disadvantage, states the booklet on Health Education, Board of Education, England. Uncleanliness is the cause, directly or indirectly, of many ailments and diseases. It is necessary to inculcate in children a love of cleanliness through its habitual practice, and to train them to understand its significance in the life of the individual and the community. The child should not come to school with dirty face, hands, or body. Habitual uncleanliness must be dis-

tinguished from occasional uncleaniiness. All healthy boys and girls will get themselves dirty, and the healthier the child, and the more active its life in work and play, the more likely it is to become dirty at times. EVILS OF UNCLEANLINESS TJncieanliness of the body hinders its proper functioning, aggravates skin disease, and may complicate a slight scratch, cut, or blister with inflammation, and even blood poisoning. It may also beget a characteristic and unpleasant smell in the schoolroom or bedroom. Dirty hands or nails may convey germs to the mouth or to food. Uncleanliness of the head is not omy di3agreeabie, but it spoils the charac-

ter of the hair, and often gives rise to sores, from which the glands of the neck may become affected. Un cleanliness of the nose and blocking of the nasal passages may contribute to mouth-breathing, nasal catarrh, or even adenoids. Uncieanliness of the eyes may cause their inflammation, and produce or aggravate the condition of sore eyelids and eyebrows. Uncleanliness of the ears may lead to earache and inflammation, and increase the seriousness of discharge from the ear. . Uncieanliness of the mouth produces decay of the teeth and swelling of the gums; harm may result through interference with proper biting of the food, by the swallowing of septid matter from the gums and teeth, and by the absorption of poisons, all of which give rise to ill-health and disease. Uncieanliness or constipation of the bowel is the root of much evil. SOCIAL EFFECTS OF UNCLEANLINESS

We may refer to the following points: The unpleasantness and risk j to other people of uncieanliness; fleas I and lice flourish iu dirty surroundj ings; refuse left lying about forms a breeding place for flies, and these carry germ-laden dirt which they deposit on food, and particularly in milk: stagnant water breeds mosquitoes; polluted water is a source of disease. We know that the uncieanliness caused by our coal fires and factory boilers poisons and pollutes the atmosphere; windows in houses, schools, and workshops get covered with dirt and dust, which tend to keep out the light and the sun’s rays; unclean houses retain infection. Sorg throats, catarrhal conditions, and consumption are more freauently met with in factories where j dusty conditions prevail.