Dr. Allen is undoubtedly a reformer, but of the modern, not the ancient, type. He is a prophet crying in our present wilderness; but he is more than a prophet, for he is always intensely practical, insisting, as he does, on getting things done, and done soon, and done right. No one can read this volume, or even its chapter-headings, without surprise and rejoicing: surprise, that the physical basis of effective citizenship has hitherto been so utterly neglected in America; rejoicing, that so much in the way of the prevention of incapacity and unhappiness can be so easily done, and is actually beginning to be done. The gratitude of every lover of his country and his kind is due to the author for his interesting and vivid presentation of the outlines of a subject fundamental to the health, the happiness, and the well-being of the people, and hence of the first importance to every American community, every American citizen. WILLIAM T. SEDGWICK MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CONTENTS PART I. HEALTH RIGHTS CHAPTER PAGE I. HEALTH A CIVIC OBLIGATION 3 II. SEVEN HEALTH MOTIVES AND SEVEN CATCHWORDS 11 III. WHAT HEALTH RIGHTS ARE NOT ENFORCED IN YOUR COMMUNITY? 23 IV. THE BEST INDEX TO COMMUNITY HEALTH IS THE PHYSICAL WELFARE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN 33 PART II. READING THE INDEX TO HEALTH RIGHTS V. MOUTH BREATHING 45 VI. CATCHING DISEASES, COLDS, DISEASED GLANDS 57 VII. EYE STRAIN 72 VIII. EAR TROUBLE, MALNUTRITION, DEFORMITIES 83 IX. DENTAL SANITATION 89 X. ABNORMALLY BRIGHT CHILDREN 104 XI. NERVOUSNESS OF TEACHER AND PUPIL 107 XII. HEALTH VALUE OF "UNBOSSED" PLAY AND PHYSICAL TRAINING 115 XIII. VITALITY TESTS AND VITAL STATISTICS 124 XIV. IS YOUR SCHOOL MANUFACTURING PHYSICAL DEFECTS? 139 XV. THE TEACHER'S HEALTH 152 PART III. COOePERATION IN MEETING HEALTH OBLIGATIONS XVI. EUROPEAN REMEDIES: DOING THINGS AT SCHOOL 159 XVII. AMERICAN REMEDIES: GETTING THINGS DONE 166 XVIII. COOePERATION WITH DISPENSARIES AND CHILD-SAVING AGENCIES 174 XIX. SCHOOL SURGERY AND RELIEF OBJECTIONABLE, IF AVOIDABLE 184 XX. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FOR WORKING PAPERS 190 XXI. PERIODICAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AFTER SCHOOL AGE 201 XXII. HABITS OF HEALTH PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY 208