The New York herald., 1876-10-05

means We would respectfully sugges. short sessions
as measure which would be beneficial TO pupils,
as IN returning TO school after the noon
session In stormy weather they are exposed
10 catarrhal Affections which are of frequent occur
renee IN his variable climate. especially during the
proceeding to whether il would interfere materially
with class exercises the results expected OF
teachers AS determined by their annual examinations
we nave as cd he opinion Of some OF the most expe
rienced teachers, and have invariably had tneil
opinion both verbally and in writing iha.
ore session day would be ample, and
would not prevent the best results OF
school work. We are aware that the Stale law re-
qulres two sessons but the Board of Education pos
sesses discretionary power in this matter.
For instance it has lately given orders to
two o'clock, whereas tho afternoon session
Is not concluded until O'Clock or about that time
Now. II the School Board has power 10 make this
regulation it certainly has the power OF dismisslng AZ
any time after entering the second session, say from
ten 10 twenty MINUTES after its commencement
In inquiry DR.. O'suvan received
from OF the most respected principals gen.
tleman of very large experience, who has Tor moro
than thirty years occupied that position He says
''rhc sanitary condition OF public schools sub
ect TO which you have devoted much OF your thought
and tme is cn2rossing large share OF prblic
tention.. A movement has undoubtedly been made in
the right direction by Limiting the number OF pupils
tho area of classroom mmodaiion sun many Of
our school buildings, especially the primary
departments thereof Will be found far from
wholesome remember that years ago you
were advocate for shorter sessions tor our primary
schools 1t seems 10 me that your ideas that
subject practical they would far toward clearing
up the difficulties which surronn1 this subject
'Of shall not stand whero should on
this important matter until the arrival oil that. car,
lar on milIennia day architects and int elli-
gent school officers shall fully appreciate the that
thero are existence such agencies carbonc acid
gas and oxygen aud that to provide an adequate sup
ply OF the one ana to get rid speedily possue OF
the oher Is more important than line architectural OF
fccis or elaborate furniture"
But to return to your idea OF shorter sessions II
the chilticn IN what called the gallery classes o
our primary schools, whose average age does not
exceed six years, could DO dismissed AT one instead o
three witn suitable during the SESSION.
two desirable results would cnsue. First, the litlN
children would be released from long and cxnaus,nl
confinement IN a vtiated atmosphere; and second
the room space occupied by them could be utiized
Tor the better accommodation or the older pupils whs
remain until three o'clock"
II would go further. Tor believe more good solid
school work can be done in all the departments in
session of four hours than Is now doue In six. The
children return to school the afternoon after partak-
ing Of hearty dinner (which, think you will con-
cede not conducive creased mental enort oficu
faiiR Rued by play, and during the months over
heated. so That the afternoon session Is Tax
vitality OF both teachers and scholars without anv
your coadutors obtain respite Tor tho little ones
VINO, verify believe, arc beng poisoned BY foul air
and buried under ologios you will have d0no good
work which the Survivors will bless youn
The necessity OF medical inspection Of schools alluded
TO In our first report, has lately been discussed 10
medical and other scientific associations The
recommendation made in that report-vz, that sanL
y ia o esDr o e Mecs
Society OF the State OF New York. June 20 1876 the
President, Dr. Thomas +. Rochester In his inaugural
address, remarked that education not In all IN
the unmistakablc blessing which II seemed "a
be, for Il became necessary to acquire It at too
great risks' He recommended 'that every
school district should have competent and
well paid medical director, who should devote
himself thoroughly and conscientiousy 10 the many
nygienc duties Of the position. 1t would involve
increased expense; the contrary, would be to
the community most economical procedure" "fhe
society," representing the profession of the State
should take such action would lnaugurae and Ler.
petuae a reform in this respect" Al the meeting Of
tnn sxrtra Gpe,~ fSnn nntSn
1875 also at its recent meeting a Saratoga the SUBJ
ject thoroughly discussed project OF Law
establishing tho Office Of medical inspector Of schooa
was presented. An abstract OF this law, with slight
notifications, is presented Tor your consideration
First-He shall be appointed by the Board Of Etuca
tion.
Second-Term OF Office, three years.
Third--Must be physician.
Fourth-Salary.
health among tho teachers and children OF the public
schools.
.;irlt--He shall mako sanitary Investigations In
respect to schooihouses and grounds, and to all
cumstsnccs connected with tho management aud In
strucou OF schools which may appear to influence the
health OF scholars teachers
SerenM-Hc shall make himself acquainted with the
employed In other States for preserving the
health OF the inmates Of schools
Eigafh-he shall seek 10 trace the origin and mode
Of extension OF epidemes or other diseases 10.
mates Of schools and to point out for the
rest or prevention OF such diseases
EinM-Hc shall, from time to time, inform the Board
OF Education OF the results OF the aforesaid rlvostga
tons aud shall suggest TO the said Board such modiica
lions OF the sanitary management existing In the
schools OF this State In his opinion would conduce
10 the improvement oil the health OF teachers and
scholars.
Tentt-He shall further, in the month of January Of
every year, present TO the Board oi Education WRIT
report his doings and Investigations In the line
OF his duty aforesaid for the year ending with tho
3lst OF December next preceding.
Eierenth-He shall gather, and from time TO time
shall press TO the department. such Information IN
respect TO tho interests OF the public SCHOOLS may
deem proper for diffusion among the peophS