from the illegal admission of young children to these resorts, and the associations thus formed. It tells a terrible tale of ruined maidenhood and blighted lives, and it is small comfort that in consequence of these prosecutions, 32 men were sent to the State Prison and Reformatories for long terms during the period indicated. By an amendment to Sec. 484 of the Penal Law (enacted in 1909, largely through the influence of this Convention) it was made a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding $500, or both, to admit to a kinetoscope or moving picture performance, any child under the age of sixteen years, unless accompanied by its parents or guardian. The stern and vigorous enforcement of this statute, and the infliction of substantial prison sentences upon the proprietors and employes who are convicted of violating it, will, in the judgment of your Committee, do more than anything else to put an end to this phase of the evil. The large moving picture establishments in good neighborhoods are often so generously patronized by reputable adults that the laws against the admission of unaccompanied children are fairly well enforced, and some of these places are well managed and offer comparatively slight opportunities for wrong doing. It is in the smaller places, which depend almost entirely on juvenile patronage, that the vice and crime with which we are trying to cope has its birth. The law applies equally, however, to all resorts, and existing conditions require its full enforcement, without discrimination, if the children of our great community are to be saved from the contaminating and degrading influences with which we are dealing. Moving picture shows to which children are not admitted unless accompanied by their parents or guardians, need no supervision other than that to which reputable theaters and other places of public amusement ar subject. All those to which unaccompanied children are admitted in violation of the Penal Law, are improper resorts. There is no way of regulating the latter class except by prosecuting their proprietors or their employes, and bringing about their adequate punishment through the criminal courts. Respectfully submitted, Thomas D. Walsh, Chairman. Charles H. Warner, Fillmore M. Smith. S. J. Koerbel, Committee on Moving Picture Shows. APPENDIX "A.” Cases prosecuted by the District Attorney of New York County, instituted by the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, in the Borough of Manhattan and Bronx. For the period, January 1, 1910, to November 1, 1911, 32 months. GUARDIANS OF THE TEETH BY N. MANTHEL HOWE. I' NTELLIGENT supervision is necessary in the case of children's teeth. Mothers, as guardians, have here an arduous, important task. Do you know that neglect of the teeth during the time from the sixth to the fourteenth year is the cause of fifty per cent of the dental troubles of adult life? Do you know that decayed teeth open avenues of infection into the child's system that may result in tubercular glands or neuralgia of the ear, and will, in time, give rise to stomach derangements? It is not because mothers are careless or indifferent, that such things exist, but because, until recently, we have not realized the importance of careful dental supervision. We know now that children should be examined by the dentist at least twice a year, that the first teeth should be filled with amalgam or gutta percha filling and conserved as long as possible. More than that, we pay strict attention to the four molars, or double teeth, cut during the sixth year. These are permanent and require particular care, as we depend on them for the grinding or mastication of food. If a child sucks his thumb, overcome the habit, for it leads to protruding teeth and faulty occlusion. There is a little aluminum preventer now. See that he does not indulge in mouth breathing. Do not allow the extraction of a first tooth that can be saved by filling if you want a child to have well-formed jaws. Do not allow a child's mouth to be in a condition that you would consider filthy if it occurred in a pantry. So, guardians of the teeth, bend your will and attention to the task. Give your children thorough instruction in the toilet of the teeth. Teach them to use a good mouth wash. You not. only keep them free from many of the stomach ills and pains of childhood, you insure them a good digestion during adult life. If your child has a poor set of teeth, do your part in helping out, with care; if he has sound teeth, don't ruin them by carelessness. A BOY SCOUT AND COURTESY. A Boy Scout should never take pay for being courteous. In explanation of this plank the leaders of the Boy Scout movement say: "Good manners, in addition to showing a spirit of general courtesy and helpfulness, will lead the Scout to a number of other things just as necessary. His conduct at the table will be correct. He will not spit on the street, nor in any public place, nor lend himself to the making of any nuisance. It is always a pleasure to asociate with a well-bred, well-mannered boy and it should be a great satisfaction to the Boy Scout to know that he is meriting the approval of those about him." A CHILD'S COLD. A child's cold often results in earache as the mucous from the nose and throat escapes into the eustachian tubes and frequently causes earache, and even abscesses. The little baby is especially often a victim of earache and is unable to locate the pain or let anyone know how much he is suffering. The baby who suffers from earache wakens in the night at intervals, and gives short, sharp pain cries which cease with the cessation of pain, and he drops off to sleep again. Sometimes, instead of crying, the baby will roll his head from side to side or put his hands up to his ears. Immediate relief from earache may be obtained by the application of heat. A small rubber bag filled with hot salt is most successful. A square of flannel, heated by being held against a hot flatiron, a lamp chimney, or an electric bulb, secures quick relief at night. THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN BY CAROLINE HEDGER, M. D. T HE medical examination of school children has two sides: 1. The protection of the community from communicable and contagious diseases. 2. Such co-operation with educational and social institutions that effective citizens may be built. The first part of this program, with one exception, is a comparatively easy and inexpensive matter;-for instance, the management of exanthemata,-such as measles, scarlet fever or of trachoma, must have the following working plan to be effective: The detection of contagious disease by the school doctor or school nurse, or by some system of reports by practitioners. a. b. The exclusion of children suffering from or in dangerous contact with contagious disease. C. The closing of schools in time of epidemic. The right has always been recognized. d. Some adequate system of disinfecting clothing and premises before the child may be returned to school. e. Some system that will insure the return of the child at the earliest safe moment. f. The prevention of small-pox by vaccination. All these details can be done by an effective Board of Health, or if done by physicians acting under the Board of Education, should be done in the closest co-operation with the Health Board. The communicable diseases are even more easily handled,—such as lice, impetigo, ringworm, itch, favus, and the eye disease acute catarrhal conjunctivitis, known as pink eye. These diseases involve: (1) Their detection;-best by the school nurse. (2) Their diagnosis and exclusion,-by the doctor. (3) Their speedy cure and return to school by the parents, under the supervision of the nurse, who acts on the orders of the doctor. It is estimated by Gulick that this form of medical inspection costs in New York about 15c per child per annum. |