310 Repout S.A.A. Advancement of Science. 



therefore, it will bring us to the heart of things if we first inquire who 

 the teachers are and how they are trained. In passing it may be noted 

 that the International Congress of School Hygiene, held in London 

 last August (1907), adopted a x-esolution that hygiene should rank 

 with the major studies in all Normal schools and other institutions 

 for the training of teachers. 



Then in the training colleges one finds that there are broadly two 

 great ideals in health teaching. The first is to prepare the teachers 

 to conduct their schools hygienically, the scholars being regarded as 

 passive objects of their watchful care. The second is an advance upon 

 the first. It is to prepare the teachers to inspire their scholars with 

 the desire to live healthy lives, and actively to advance the cause of 

 health by their influence and example. 



Great Britain. 



In the British training colleges for secondar}' teachers one finds 

 the first of these ideals realised with perhaps greater thoroughness than 

 anywhere else. Although each college draws up its own S3'llabus, there 

 is remarkable uniformity of method among them. In every case physio- 

 logy is taught with an eye to school life, and the principles and prac- 

 tice of school hygiene receive the most careful attention. The second 

 ideal, that of influencing the scholars' minds on the subject of health, 

 does not seem to be aimed at at all in many English secondarj^ schools. 

 In the more modern schools, however, hygiene is taught. 



In English public elementary schools a great deal of attention is 

 now being given to tlie health of the scholars. Medical inspection is 

 compulsory, and both doctors and nurses are specialising in the work. 

 The co-operation of teachers and parents is necessary, and it is found 

 that the best results are got where the nurses visit both the schools 

 and the homes. As the Boai-d of Education memorandum puts it, 

 " The home is the point at which health must be controlled ultimately." 

 By this system the three professions — teaching, medical and nursing — 

 are combined in an organised effort to influence both the school and the 

 home. The system is only in its infancy, but it promises to produce 

 great results. In Germany a similar system lias been in operation for 

 the past fevv j^ears. Jt is a highly practical method of advancing the 

 cause of public health. For the elementary schools, the English 

 Education Board has suggested an outline course on health and 

 temperance, and recommends training colleges to include hygiene in 

 their elementary science course. The National Health Society and 

 other bodies are training special health teachers for the country 

 councils. 



The United States. 



Although every State of the Union has its own general educa- 

 tional policy, and the most diverse methods are employed, yet in this 

 particular subject, " Health," tliere is a large degree of uniformity. 

 The Americans regard the care of the body as one of the most im- 



