A HEALTH MISSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10302, 6 November 1911, Page 3

A HEALTH MISSION.

" Everylady's Journal" is publishing it series of health talks by Dr Burnett Ham, chairman of the Board-of Public Health, Victoria. The first talk, 011 tho work of the Imperial Health Association, concludes thus:— Our men and our boys have entered upon an hour of full recognition of the possible demands of warfare. Tho youth of our land are being equipped and trained in all departments of military routine. Soldiering is being practically defined as a national obligation. Abroad., the sharp order of the officer falls arrestingly upon tho crisp night air. Cadets are being moulded into men capable of warfare—men who, later, at their country's call, will turn their acquired skill to defy the threat and annihilate tho invader who would win their citadel. But the women—the mothers and girls? Who.is training them—who preparing themP Are they, alone of Australasia's people, to be left to fight their battle unaided, and untaught? Are they to be left to struggle, through ignorance, to a knowledge which comes, often enough, too late to save from physical disaster? Such an Association as that indicated says emphatically. This must not be! In England, so decided and so original has been the action of this body that, not content with giving health lectures in city centres, caravan health tours were undertaken throughout rural England. No section of England's people was to be omitted from this educational effort. Immense interest was awakened by this so no-vel and entertaining method of convincing women of the serious view in which their maternal and national obligations were held. By a remarkable coincidence, tho first caravan—- " spick and span with fresh green paint, bearing tho name of the Association in gold letters, and wreathedi with garlands of flowers"—was despatched on its initial journey 011 the day set apart for the public funeral of * that great exponent of hygiene—Florence Nightingale. The inaugural ceremony was performed by Muriel Viscountess Helmsley, October 10, 1910. Within, tho caravan is described as compact and orderly as a ship's cabin. The liv-ing-room and kitchen contained a tiny range, a window-seat—which could, be utilised as a bed, a hanging cupboard, store cupboard, a wide shelf, and a folding-tblc. Tho walls were a restful shade of green, and the windows had curtains of white casement-cloth. The bedroom opened out of the living-room. It was furnished with a double bed, under which were cupboards and drawers, while shelves, rods, racks and hooks were fitted into convenient corners. A small door noa.r the waslistand opened into an enclosure where each morning was placed an indiarubber bath. The caravan was also provided with a lavatory. Beneath tho van were hung pails and cans, while behind tho vehicle was a large rack, which lot down for luggage. Thus equipped, tho Florence Nightingale Caravan entered upon the first stage of its experience. Health talkr. were to bo given to the women and girls of tho villages and towns of rural England. The immonse significance of personal and domestic hygiene was to be fully impressed. The prevention of consumption—a disease particularly rife in manufacturing centres—the physical development of children, and the imparting to girls knowledge which would fit- them to fulfil tho duties of mature life., were subjects recognised as peculiarly important. The lectures, carefully revised, conveyed, in Kim pie language, valnablo and most valued facts. Their teachings were practically applicable to tho daily lives of the women whom* they were designed to influence. Nor Avas an entertaining side to such talks omitted. The lectures were illustrated admirably with lantern slides, and with kincmatograph demonstrations. Special films, dealing with particular and concrete points, lent colour and excited inquiry.

Florence Nightingale had her own scheme of enforcing recognition of the value of personal and domestic hygiene. Her cry was for health missioners—health missioners in every district, fully qualified for tho work. The following extract from her recently pnbli.shtx! "Life," bv Sarah Tooley, suggests a hint not to be overlokcd: "The first great step is for the missioner to got the trust and friendship of the women. The whole object of her recommendations should be to teach people how to avoid sickness." Such was the conclusion of a woman, who know not only women, hut humanity. Miss "Nichtingalo believed that the best method for promoting sanitary reform among the people was education of the women. A paper prepared by her, on " Rural Hygiene, Health Teaching in Towns and Villas - *;;." was read at the Conference of Women-Workers at Leeds, as far back as November, ISD3. In common with all thinkers and health reformers, she believed that if the wives and mothers of the Empire became perstiade<l of the necessity or obeying hygienic laws, the initial step to the revolutionising of many now existent systems would be taken.

A similar conviction impelled the ladies who "manned" the Florence Nightingale Caravan. Sanitary reform was advocated as imperative. " Hoys and girls ought to grow up healthy, with clean minds, clean bodies, and clean skins; and for this to bo possible, the air, the earth, and tho water that thoy grow up in and have around them must be elean. When j child, from some proventible cause, falls ill, how often the mother exclaims, " Ob. if I had only known! Put there uas no one to tell me."

A lie:: Ith. Association fromcd in Australia on some such lines as those on which tho Women's Imperial Health Association of Great Biitain is conducted, 'might in numberless instances prevent unavailing regret, nnd isavo multitudes of lives, the value of which could not bo reckoned in money. Australasia should teach its daughters what England is teaching hers.