The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Feb. 9, 1923.
Public Health Nurse For Luverne Schools
Board of Education Votes to Add Trained Nurse to Regular Staff of Luverne Public Schools
Action Hastened by Big Epidemic of Bad Colds
Mrs. Clara Herm Engaged to Fill Position and Will Enter Upon Duties Early Next Week
In order to further safeguard the health and physical welfare of pupils of the Luverne schools, the school board has completed arrangements for the addition of a health nurse to the school corps.
Mrs. Clara Herm, of Lake Mills, Ia., has been engaged to fill the position and is expected to arrive here next week from Tracy, this state, where she is at present engaged. Her office will be at the Central building.
One of the first duties of Mrs. Herm will be to make a physical examination of all the pupils of the schools in order to detect those who show symptoms of the grippe, influenza or severe colds. During the “cold” epidemic which has been sweeping over this city and vicinity the past few weeks, the number of absences at the high school daily averaged from 35 to 45 and at Central school this number is even greater. It is recognized that colds are contagious and spread rapidly, especially among school children.
The contention has been made that the county nurse is to take care of all the schools in the county, and that therefore the services of a school nurse would not be required. The county nurse, as she is often called, is not paid by the county, but receives her salary from the Red Cross funds. With her various duties, she is unable to give the time and attention that are required to protect the health of as many pupils as are enrolled in the Luverne schools.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
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