1932 Convention Report

              24 A L B E R T A W O M E N ' S I N S T I T U T ES
for the examination we might find parents who would be glad to take advan
tage of this service. It could be offered to groups of eight or more children.
Twelve branches report medical examination of schools and several requested
information re necessary organization for same. All schools in the Sedgewick
district are examined by the local doctor and paid for by the municipality.
Schools
A great deal has been done, from a health point of view, to improve our
schools. More could be done by organizing Junior Red Cross branches. The
small magazine and health posters are very effective means of impressing
health habits on the young mind. One branch installed equipment for hot
food and several branches supervise serving hot lunch in schools. One branch
installed a drinking fountain at a cost of $ 25.00; two branches supervised
health plays; three branches provided first aid kit and several others replen­ished
first aid kits already established. There are a number of branches that
concentrate on recreation for school children, as a result of which many
donations such as bat and ball, football, prizes for races and other sports have
been made as well as picnics held, and one branch reports a masquerade
dance at which lunch was served at ten o'clock. In many districts milk was
supplied to undernourished school children. During the month of June, this
being the peak of unemployment and examination time, one branch supplied
ten gallons of milk daily with bread, butter, jam, etc., at a cost of $ 105.00.
One branch had a child's eyes treated and fitted with glasses. Several branches
sponsored Xinas trees and treats for children in outlying districts.
Home Nursing Courses
Four branches report a two and three day course in home nursing. One
held a two day course in first aid and contagious diseases; another a one day
course in first aid. Unfortunately this service, due to economic reasons, is
being curtailed.
Mental Hygiene
One branch reports a paper on mental hygiene; another a paper on " Our
Mental Health." and states that the facts and figures brought forth in this
paper were rather startling and fully convinced them of the great need there
is for a more thorough and sympathetic understanding of mental sickness.
Mental health has been defined as " The adjustment of human beings to the
w o r l d and to each other with a maximum of effectiveness and happiness, not
just efficiency nor just contentment, nor the grace of obeying the rules of the
game cheerfully— it is all of these together. It is the ability to maintain an
even temper, an elert intelligence, socially considerate behaviour and a happy
disposition." Surely this is a subject of the most vital importance to each
and every one of us.
Addresses and Papers
Addresses and papers continue to be an outstanding feature in educational
work among the branches. The following subjects were dealt with: Care
of Children; Children's Diseases; How to Prevent Disease; Hot Lunch in
R u r a l Schools; Child Training from the Child's Point of View; First Year
C a r e : Laws Governing Children; Mentally Defective Children and their Care;
District Nurse's Work; Diet for School Child; Why we should Register
Births; Youth, Health and How to Keep It; Preventive Dentistry; Pre­school
Child; Malnutrition; Sex Hygiene and Adolescent Youth; Care of
T e e t h ; Vocational Guidance for the Young. One branch followed health topics
in a paper with short discussion of same at each meeting. Roll calls answered
w i t h health hints.