The author wishes to express her appreciation and gratitude to the many persons who have manifested interest in the work of the Girls’ Health League, which was launched under the auspices of the Massachusetts State Federation of Women’s Clubs. She wishes also especially to thank the following: Mrs. Herbert J. Gurney, President of the Massachusetts State Federation of Women’s Clubs, for her encouragement; Dr. Payson Smith, Commissioner of Education of Massachusetts, for his indorsement; John B. Hawes, 2d, M. D., for his criticism and advice; Margaret V. Grogan, M. D., for her medical assistance; Miss Florence Hilton, Director of Physical Education, Framingham public schools, for illustrations of posture; G. W. Cokell of Framingham for photographic work of unusual value; the Tri-Ad Studio artists for their excellent designs. MAY BLISS DICKINSON, R. N. FOREWORD May this little book go forth bearing words of healing, health, and joy to you who faithfully study them, and, also, to those little ones whom the kind Father may place in your arms in the wonderful years to come. MRS. SAMUEL W. McCALL CHILDREN WELL AND HAPPY CHAPTER I PERSONAL HYGIENE =Suggestions for demonstrations. 1.= Demonstrate the correct posture when standing, walking, and sitting. =2.= Show the right and wrong kinds of shoes. =3.= Demonstrate the correct way of carrying schoolbooks. =4.= Show samples of soap—pure castile, Ivory, and a cheap scented variety—and explain the right and wrong uses of soap. Personal hygiene may be defined as the wise and systematic care of the body. The reasons why every girl should take care of her body are: First, good health means power to do one’s work in life well. Second, health is an aid to happiness and personal attractiveness. [Illustration: CORRECT POSTURE WHEN STANDING] Good health helps to give a person an active, cheerful mind, and this makes one alert, capable, and able to work to the best advantage. Good health gives poise and grace to the body and helps to create efficiency. The following are good rules: 1. Form health-giving habits. 2. Let keeping well and happy be one of your most important duties. The person who honestly wishes to be useful must begin at once to make good health a certainty. RULES FOR CORRECT POSTURE =Standing.= We should stand correctly in order that the organs of the body—heart, lungs, stomach, liver, and kidneys—may have room and be in position to do their work well. We should stand erect, chin in, chest high, abdomen flat, and with the weight of the body resting on the balls of the feet. =Walking.= In walking the weight of the body should be thrown well forward.