As a child, our family lived in an home in this area cooking, drinking and heating with water delivered through lead pipes. We even consumed milk without expiration dates. Our home was also dressed with lead paint, as it was the only paint that withstood the elements. Our home was heated by steam radiators fueled by coal with much coal dust for my dear mother to chase on cleaning day.
Common medical recommendations for children was the removal of tonsils and adenoids. Today, there is not much news on these procedures, never mind their removal.
Medicine cabinets were not filled with pills … the essentials were aspirin, cough syrup, mercurochrome and assorted Band-Aids to patch up one’s rigorous outdoor play injuries. A serious health event generated a doctor’s visit and possibly a free Cadillac ambulance transport handsomely equipped with a single revolving roof light.
We, as children, were disciplined and taught to respect other people and property. We were not rewarded for everything we said or did. We learned disappointment, failures as well as triumph and the word “no.”
I don’t recall having child psychologists embedded in the school administration back then. We walked long distances to school, crossing roads without the benefit of pedestrian signs or flashing lights. I can’t remember any students getting flattened by motor vehicles. Of course, we were not staring at our smartphones.
Once at school, we inhaled chalk dust and chewed on lead pencils during stressful tests. A myriad of dangers surrounded our childhood. Guess we were too dumb to know it!
With all this hindsight, I marvel that I survived. Have to stop now. I am getting my tonsils removed later today … just to be safe!
Robert A. Cartledge
Leeds