102 COMMISSION ON COUNTRY LIFE 



farm products. Quite aside from the humanita- 

 rian point of view, the aggregate annual loss to 

 the nation from unsanitary conditions on the 

 farms must, when expressed in money values, 

 reach an enormous sum, and a betterment of 

 these conditions is a nation-wide obligation. 



There is great need for the teaching of the 

 simplest and commonest laws of hygiene and sani- 

 tation in all the schools. The people need knowl- 

 edge, and no traditions should prevent them 

 from having it. How and what to eat, the nature 

 of disease, the importance of fresh air, the neces- 

 sity of physical training even on the farm, the 

 ineffectiveness or even the danger of nostrums, 

 the physical evils of intemperance, all should be 

 known in some useful degree to every boy and 

 girl on leaving school. 



Some of the most helpful work in improving 

 rural sanitary conditions and in relieving suffer- 

 ing, is now proceeding from women's organiza- 

 tions. This w r ork should be encouraged in every 

 way. We especially commend the suggestion 

 that such organizations, and other interests, pro- 

 vide visiting nurses for rural communities, when 

 they are needed. 



