SECTION XI (continued 4)
Reading edition
During menstruation it is particularly important to keep the body and clothes scrupulously clean, by bathing or washing with plenty of water.
Hair—Air and a good brushing every day will keep the hair in good condition. It should be washed once in two weeks. Wash with hot soapsuds and rinse thoroughly, using first hot, then cooler, and finally cold water. Keep the hair brush clean by washing in cold water and soap and a little ammonia at least once a week. The brush should be dried in the sun, not by artificial heat.
Ears—Keep the outer surfaces of the ears clean, but leave the inner part alone. Do not poke for wax or put oil in the ear.
Feet—Bathe the feet in hot water at night, when tired. In the morning bathe with cold water after hot, to harden them for walking. Keep the toenails clean, and cut evenly.
Teeth—Next to a fresh, sweet skin the most beautiful feature of a truly beautiful woman is her teeth. The basis of beautiful teeth is a clean mouth. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day. The best times are after breakfast and the last thing before going to bed. A brush with medium soft bristles should be used. Clean a new brush thoroughly with soap and water and soak in cold water to set the bristles. A toothbrush should be cleansed and aired and if possible sunned every day. Never use a brush that has begun to lose its bristles, or which has become caked or yellow. Paste or powder that is not gritty should be used. Always brush away from the gums; that is, brush the upper teeth down, and the lower teeth up. Clean the roof of the mouth and the tongue.
It is a good plan to have the teeth examined at least every six months. Then any repairs or cleaning that may be needed can be easily attended to and much future pain, trouble and expense saved.
Eyes—Wash eyes carefully for "sleepers" in the morning. Bathing with alternate hot and cold will rest and strengthen the muscles.
General Safeguards—Do not use public towels or drinking cups.
Do not use towels, handkerchiefs or other toilet articles or glasses or cups or table utensils used by others.
Avoid sneezing or coughing into another person's face.
Measurements
Every Girl Scout should know her measurements, including her height, her weight, her waist measure, her chest girth and her chest expansion. Not only are these things convenient to know when ordering uniforms and buying clothes, but any physical director, gymnasium teacher or doctor can tell her if these are in good proportion for her age and general development and advise her as to how she may go about to improve them if they need it.
The accompanying table (given in the last section of the Health Record) shows the right height and weight for girls at different ages. The way to consult it is as follows:
First, find your height by measuring yourself without shoes against a wall. The best way to do is to have someone lay a ruler on top of your head so that it extends to the wall and touches it at right angles. Then the place should be marked and the distance measured with a yard stick or tape. Count a half inch as the next highest inch; thus if you measure 59-1/2 inches call this 60. If you measure 59-1/4 count it as an even 59. Stand with heels against the wall, and head high: "Stand Tall."
Second, find your weight with only indoor clothes on. Take the weight to the nearest pound, counting as before a half pound or three-quarters as the next highest and disregard the amounts less than one-half.
Then take your card and look along the top row for the age to which you are nearest, counting six months past one year mark as the next year. Thus, if you are within six months of being 13, count yourself 13.
Then look at the left-hand upright row of figures and find your height in inches.
Then with a rule or paper find the corresponding number of pounds for your height and age.
You will see that a girl may be any number of inches tall within wide limits, but her weight must correspond to her height rather than simply to her age.
A girl should be within ten per cent of the proper weight for her age and height. If you find that you are underweight, do not be frightened or discouraged, as it is quite easy to get up to normal by following the health rules, particularly those relating to food, water and sleep. Drink as much milk as possible, and eat fresh vegetables and don't spoil your appetite by eating too many sweets or nibbling between meals. If you find that after a month you are still more than ten per cent underweight, then ask your parents if you can see the doctor or consult the school physician.
A Health Record Chart for Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts who are working for "The Health Winner" badge should keep an account of their progress for three months, and a good way to do it is to have a Health Chart to fill out daily and bring the record for each week to their Captain, at troop meeting. The chart given below is suggested as a model, and copies will be obtainable from National Headquarters, but troops can make up their own.
Every Scout is naturally a Health Crusader, and she can use the blanks provided by the National Modern Health Crusade if she so desires.
In this case the first two points can be combined, which relate to washing hands and face, and an additional point inserted in place of the second, to the effect that "I ate no sweets, candy, cake or ice cream between meals today."
THE GIRL SCOUT'S HEALTH RECORD
DAILY RECORD OF POINTS 1. I did my setting-up exercises 2. I walked, worked or played outdoors at least a half-hour 2a. Time spent walking 2b. Distance walked 3. I went to bed early last night, and slept at least 8 hours 4. I slept with my window open 5. I drank six glasses of water between meals 6. I ate no sweets, candy, cake, sweet drinks or ice cream, except as dessert 7. I ate green vegetables or fruit or salad 8. I drank no tea or coffee 9. I drank milk or had milk in some other form 10. I had a bowel movement 11. I washed my hands before eating, and after going to the bathroom 12. I had a bath (at least two a week must be recorded) 13. I brushed my teeth twice during the day 14. I brushed my hair night and morning 15. I shampooed my hair (at least once every four weeks) Scout.............................................................. Checks for Week Commencing Monday......No.... Pt.Mon.Tues.Wed.Thurs.Fri.Sat.Sun. 1 2 2a 2b 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Date handed to Captain................................ Captain's Comment...........................................
RECORD FOR WHOLE PERIOD 1. Posture at beginning: (Comment by Captain) 2. Posture at end: (Comment by Captain) 3. Total distance walked (Must be at least 75 miles) 4. At least three shampoos 5. Any colds during period? 6. Constipation during period? 7. Answered correctly the following questions: How do you care for your teeth properly? Why is it important to care for your eyes? How can you rest them? What are points to remember about light for work? What is the difference in effect between a hot and a cold bath? How do you care for feet on a hike? 8. Height in inches at beginning of period Weight in pounds at beginning of period Standard weight for height and age? Difference plus or minus in your weight Height in inches at end of period Standard weight for height and age Difference plus or minus in your weight If growth is shown what rate is this per month? Standard? RIGHT HEIGHT AND WEIGHT FOR GIRLS Hght.101112131415161718 ins.yrs.yrs.yrs.yrs.yrs.yrs.yrs.yrs.yrs. 4753 485556 495758 50596061 51626364 52656667 5368686970 5470717273 557374757677 567778798081 57818283848586 5885868788899091 598990919394959698 60 94959799100102104106 61 99101102104106108109111 62 104106107109111113114115 63 109111112113115117118119 64 115117118119120121122 65 117119120122123124125 66 119121122124126127128 67 124126127128129130 68 126128130132133134 69 129131133135136137 70 134136138139140 71 138140142143144 72 145147148149 PREPARED BY DR. THOMAS D. WOOD About what a Girl should gain each month AGE AGE 8 to 118 oz.14 to 168 oz. 11 to 14 12 oz. 16 to 184 oz. Weights and measures should be taken without shoes and in only the usual indoor clothes. Used by courtesy of the Child Health Organization, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City.