LITTLE COMRADES

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “Tender indoor flowers appear puny and colorless alongside their natural brothers of the open air, so --” “-- the lives of these unfortunate children are guarded and dealt with accordingly. Here the children who are anemic, tubercularly inclined and sickly are given special attention.” “Each morning the nurse takes the temperature of every child.” Children wrapped in blankets sitting in classroom while nurse places thermometers in their mouths. “A close tab is kept on their weight.” Boys being weighed by nurse. “Once a week the doctor makes a careful examination.” Doctor examining little girl, nurse writing down results, other children standing. “Three good meals are served daily, milk being used in plenty.” Children sitting at table and eating. “The tooth brush aids greatly in health’s protection.” Children lined up brushing their teeth. “Bad teeth are cared for at once.” Dentist working on boy, nurse assisting. “The noon-day nap.” Children lying down on cots and wrapping up in blankets. “Playtime.” Children leaving building, running around outdoors. “A shower bath promotes vim and vigor.” Boys taking shower. “The wheelchair patients are given an industrial training; here dolls’ beds, waste baskets, taborets, etc., are skillfully made.” Boys in wheelchairs moving down hall - boys in wheelchairs and on crutches working at benches on projects. “Binding a book and weaving a basket.” Boys at work benches binding books - one-armed boy sitting at table weaving a basket. “The blind and seeing children study the same lessons. Letters made with raised dots are read rapidly. This is called the Braille System.” Children sitting at desks reading books written in Braille - close-up of girl’s hands - hands placing blocks in squares - close-up of Braille printing. “The study room where problems are worked with slate and stylus.” Blind children at desks in classroom. “Typewriting and making reed baskets.” Blind boy touching reading paper then typing - blind girls weaving baskets. “Then summer comes and vacation time.” Children playing on lawn. “Here our little comrades continue on the road to recovery.” Children in woods doing exercises, teacher leading - children sliding down slide - playing in sandbox. “With plenty of good things to eat and lots of rest.” Teachers passing out food to children sitting on lawn - children swinging on swing - children sitting on lawn listening to teacher who is reading from a book - children napping under trees. “The beach also lends a hand.” Children running down walk into water. “Freckles was his name.” Freckle faced boy in bed. “‘And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ -- St. Matthew 25:40.” [1920]