of the body. The spores * of the plants live a long time
on damp floors, in shoes and stockings, and in wet towels.
Ringworm is a common condition. The name athlete's
foot probably comes from the fact that gymnasium dress-
ing rooms are often a place for the ringworm spores to
live. One person who is careless can scatter enough spores
to pass the infection on to a good many other people.
The best way to avoid ringworm is to keep your feet
from touching any place where the spores might be.
Wear bathing slippers in the locker and shower rooms
instead of running around barefoot. Dry your feet
thoroughly, using your own clean towel. Give special
attention to drying the skin between the toes. Some
people rub their feet and toes with powder to absorb
perspiration. There is usually someone to look at swim-
mers' feet before swimmers are allowed in the pool.
Should you have athlete's foot, ask your school doctor
or school nurse what to do to clear it up. There are many
advertised cures that do little good.
Before you can go into the school pool or join the
regular gymnasium class or play on teams, you are given
a physical examination. This protects you in two ways.
Anyone with an infectious disease is not allowed to use
the pool. In some cases, as in case of athlete's foot, he is
not allowed to use any part of the gymnasium where the
disease might be spread. Another reason for the examina-
tion is to make sure that you have no physical defect that
would make it unwise for you to take strenuous exercise.
Some people's hearts are not in condition for much exer-
cise. Overs train, in jJae growingyears is very- haraaful.
After you have passed your physical examination, you
are asked to provide yourself with gymnasium shoes.
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