Visual Education (Jan 1923-Dec 1924)

March, 19 2 3 // tall weeds, making his presence, known, however, by a foul stench. Flies swarm about him ; there are maggots and worms, too, and many, many germs which cannot be seen with the naked eye but which may cause disease. The dog is placed to the right of the speaker, who promptly and dramatically wipes his hands with a towel. A bright boy guesses what is represented by the next exhibit — a garbage pail. It is uncovered, exposed to prowling animals and flies, and disgusting to look upon. It too, no doubt, contains hidden disease germs. Next it is explained that the man in bed, held up to view, is ill. He has typhoid fever, perhaps, and of course some of the typhoid germs are on his lips and body. Only those who know how to protect themselves must come near or attend him lest they get the disease. With these three objects arranged on the right side of the table and the other three on the left, the speaker brings out the contrast between the clean and the foul. "Suppose," he suggests, "we should mix these all together — the dead dog and the milk — the garbage and the bread — the sweet, clean baby, flanked on one side by the man with typhoid and on the other by the decaying dog. Imagine the garbage pail on the dinner table ! Etc., etc." "Preposterous ! Impossible !" "So? But in effect it can and does happen !" "How?" Enter the Villain Here the huge fly dangling from its pole is swung into view. Yes, a fly — a big one — and mean-looking. He was purposely made to look mean because that's what he is. The fly is man's enemy. Too large? But suppose all the flies in this block were caught and massed together, would they not be larger than this model ? The children are reminded that the fly travels swiftly and over long distances; that he is undiscriminating in his diet ; that his legs and body are fuzzy, wherefore filth and germs adhere to him and may be carried wherever he goes ; that in the course of one summer, one fly may become the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of thousands of other flies. Now he is swung back and forth. Buzz-z-z, Buzz-z-z. Sniff! "What do I smell ? In yonder lot a nice dead dog!" Plop! — into the filthy, crawling mess he dives, accumulating on his fuzzy legs meanwhile small particles of putrid matter and germs. Buzz-z-z again. After this hearty breakfast he is thirsty; so in through the open window he flies, and there he spies a glass of milk. Does he pause to bathe, shave and manicure his six feet before carefully stooping over MORTfl Does Mr. Fly stop to bathe, shave, and manicure his six messy feet before sharing your glass of milk? Not he! His thirst, hurry and ill-breeding are too extreme to admit of such a delay. Begin to "swat" early in life and early in the season if you would have a truly sanitary home for your little ones. to take a sip ? Ridiculous ! He does not even stop to wipe his feet, but drops helter-skelter into the milk, drinking his fill and leaving behind his unseen trademark, including perhaps disease germs. Buzz-z-z some more. This time into the manure pile or the garbage can. Back again later to roost awhile on the piece of buttered bread, leaving generous samples of his dirty accumulation. Buzz-z-z. Not even the feverish nap of the sick man is respected. Mr. Fly lights directly on his parched and sticky lips, carrying with him, when shooed off, a liberal quantity of typhoid germs. Buzz-z-z. Next he pesters the baby asleep in its carriage, crawling over its tender lips or perhaps its tiny pink snub nose. Yes, the fly is a great mixer. He doesn't recognize the difference between clean and unclean, and he has no regard for mankind. The Audience Speaks Its Lines We must fight the fly, every one doing his bit. What can boys and girls do to help? Back to our models, beginning at the right. A boy in the audience who admits that he has a pet dog is asked what he would do in the event of Romeo's death. "Bury him." Good answer ! And this applies to other animals as well, such as (the children name them) cats, chickens, pigeons.