Canadian Fureslry Journal, lubruuri), ]!)17 



949 



tion to the beneficial results of the 

 regular and careful brushing of the 

 teeth by the children under the Nurse- 

 teeth by the children under the 

 Nurse's guidance. At the close of 

 the school the mouths of these pupils 

 were practically in every case models 

 of cleanliness. If the same regular 

 care that was practic'ed in the Forest 

 School could be carried out in all our 

 Public Schools it would revolutionize 

 the mouth conditions among chil- 

 dren." 



Gain in Weight. 



During the first week the Forest 

 School was open, all but three chil- 



to note the bright eye and quickened 

 movements; to see the natural in- 

 terest in everything that surrounds 

 a child evidencing a developing mind. 



Teaching Manners. 



But even this (juickcned mentality 

 is not the only result, for the child 

 has learned something in deportment: 

 to lift his hat to a lady, to smile back 

 "Thank you" for a service rendered, 

 to eat and drink decently at the table, 

 to appreciate the beauty of a few wild 

 flowers, the lure of the open woods, 

 the majesty of the rolling sea, to 

 recognize his Creator in the things 

 of Nature. There has been an up- 



REST HOUR IN THE WOODS. 



dren gained in weight. The gain 

 varied from one-half to four and a 

 half pounds. Naturally that gain 

 did not continue at the same rate 

 in the weeks to follow. But to judge 

 the benefit accruing to these chil- 

 dren from the point of view of the 

 gain in weight only would not be 

 fair. The gain in weight is import- 

 ant, for it should indicate increased 

 vitality and strength. But this is 

 not the only result. Children came 

 to the school dull, stupid, unrespon- 

 sive, with but little evidence of de- 

 veloping mentality. It was a great 

 pleasure to watch the awakening and 

 quickening intelligence; to see apathy 

 and dullness and stupidity replaced 

 by intelligent alertness and activity; 



lift to his whole moral being, the 

 effect of which, I believe, will never 

 pass away. I know of nothing that 

 would be a greater blessing to the 

 children of this city, that would do 

 as much to produce and maintain 

 that vigorous physical health so es- 

 sential to mental development and 

 moral well-being. I know of nothing 

 that will do so much to prevent de- 

 bility, consumption, and all wasting 

 diseases, that will do as much to re- 

 store vitality and produce the physi- 

 cal and mental development that 

 means efficiencv and usefulness to 

 the city and to the state. The For- 

 est School means a preventorium; 

 means a wholesome and vigorous 

 bodv, a quickened and disciplined 



