258 NATURE STUDY REVIEW [7:9— Dec, 1911 



air should be grouped together, or all that tend to result in 

 cleanliness of person and environment." 



The methods of presenting hygiene have been improved 

 very much in recent years for the attention of educators and 

 the public has been drawn more constantly to the subject. 

 Formerly it was taught in a haphazard manner, and to some 

 extent, is now, and without the aid of a text-book. The text- 

 books of today are far from ideal, because still too much em- 

 phasis is placed upon physiology, upon the effects of alcohol, 

 tobacco, etc. and too little emphasis upon public and personal 

 health. 



Concerning alcohol and tobacco it is becoming the con- 

 viction of most educators that too much time is spent in teach- 

 ing about their effects on the human system and that their 

 evils are over-stated and over-emphasized. The child, in the 

 first six grades at least, has very little interest in the effects 

 of the narcotics and drugs on the system. Yet the matter 

 should not wholly be passed over, but the plain truth, which 

 is bad enough, should be told without sensationalism or 

 emotionalism. There are more reasons, which can be brought 

 to the attention of the child, for avoiding alcohol and tobacco 

 in the interests of others, than for avoiding them for one's 

 own sake. Many things do more harm than alcohol and to- 

 bacco, such as lax laws, a feeble enforcement of laws relating 

 to unclean surroundings, impure milk and congested tene- 

 ments. The craving for alcohol and other stimulants are 

 partially caused by such conditions. 



The practical application of hygiene teaching should con- 

 stantly be made in community life. If it can be impressed 

 upon the child that unhealthful communities and physiological 

 derangements cause acts which lead to wretchedness, sickness, 

 crime, a denial of pleasure and happiness, a depleted vitality, 

 and useless expenditure of energy and money, the method of 

 presenting the subject is not far wrong. 



Care should be taken that the child's attention is not 

 directed to his own body too much, for this often has the effect 

 of disturbing his self-consciousness, and he is apt to imagine 

 he has diseases, or worries for fear of catching them'. The 

 child may also develop a dislike for the whole subject. The 

 emphasis should rather be placed upon the health and well- 

 being of members of the home and community. 



Another method which kills the interest of the child and 

 gives him practically nothing, is to require him to memorize a 



