New-York tribune., 1876-10-05
HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
SUGGESTIONS BY COMMITTEE OF THE MEDIco
LEGAL SOCIETY.

SUGGESTIONS BY COMMITTEE OF THE MEDIco-
LEGAL SOCIETY.
The MedicO-L Legal Society held its regular
anniversary the Hall Of the Acadamy OF Medicine, NO
II West Thirty-frstst last evening Prof F. H. Haml-
ton NJ. d., presiding Tie report OF the committee on
legislation to promote the health Of school children"
was read by H. j. o'sullivan, NJ. d. The following are
the main points;
The object for which the society Is working, and to ac-
cOmplsh which the abOrs of the committee are en-
plOyrd place before the public the defects ID he
sanitary condition OF the schools ana the eVs 10 Wch
school children are subject Society s in state OF tran
son and the physical condition enters largely INTO no
calsatiun The notable evidence Of tins Is IN the lrlla
ton the brain and incidental diseases IN ats carry
ing them OFF to prema urc graves while yet IA ue prime
ot life. IL is stated upon competent authDrti uai
100000 persons are annually slaughtered IN the United
states by peyeutabe diseases What the percentage OF
school children may be cannot DE- stated WIN duy uBlce
Ol accuracy, but II must he large inc FORCING cra-
ming system in American colleges gives no assuring III
dica.iJ ~ change for the better IN the generation aJ
Is to follow this. II adults cannot be affected Dy our
Efforts, 1t US give our whole attention 10 saw
ing tine little ones from the dangers ~hcl threaten.
Among the most urgent changes needed IN the puzzle
school system is the establishing Of incXpensiye rr-
mary schools, with ample PiJ -Sou7' suholeh CL!sa
ro0in aud ar-spice. ~chOohouscs a' now constructed
are detective. Too much attention IS pdid TO ornL
mcntHtun ana appearance, az eho'houS cATyhsei ~ile
the assembly r99n-oniy Used .er q SNORT Ii,G unlns
10 the great d,tHmtIt oi I"5'.o.n aceJulIu 'H''D' ,
This l. especially noticeable IN primary departments
where tLci exists tie greatest need ior ciassroos Is
U any wonder th3t THESE sch"os are ''c toI
the propagation OF contagious Cheasesi lhtse axe the
Il trk spots g our sguOul system
Inward Of el,OOOOJO Is asked by the Board OF
Etu,atiou for school purposes Tor tho ensuing y arr
- this amount ~ Tor the enforcement OF TIE
CoWpulsIry ucltUn law, and 100000 IJr r,iOrud-
tory where children OF the required age WHO t5 NOT
attend school nuy be committed There i no question
A. o th necessity o. this law, or ds 10 lts cnloicturnt
under proper Ly gcnc c0ull IONS. DutlDI tle past
mont. several thousand children have been refused
aduittaucg 10 the schools for want OF sufficient school,
room. Toe law cOmpes tLCm to gO 70 these schools re-
grdcss of sanitary requirements or clds,IOom accom-
mOdtt.ou, or they must 70 10 prison. The injustice Ol
eniurc.ag 10 Is PLATA 10 possessed OF common
and 10 T. .Ouutf u tuc Ilutr courts Wou!t uo 80
al tie -k uf the Lcah .Or lives. OF the children IL ls
the duty OF tie State % provide accommodation Oe1Oic
cniO. eng the law.
partmrnt5 ART suggested. TAis view cOncurcd ~ Dy
the most experienced teachers, some advising that no
afternoon session ur held. Tie appointment of conpe
tent medical director - Suggsi e. tn be appointed uy Je
Board ul Elueatuu aud whose business nhal. DE thC al
yi.n OF to secure the hdJa Oi the children
by every possible means
A vote OF thanks was given the committee aud the
society then elected the following officers: President
Prof r. II. Hamilton; First ycy-Presideut, George H.
Yeamau; Second Vico-Presdeut Dr Charles $ Wood; !;
Recording Secretary, Dr. George w. Wells; Assistant Re-
coriing Secretary. DR.. NJ y. Miller; Corresponding Sec
rctary Dr. j. +. Chauyedu; Treasurer, Dr. Thomas 81
Bahan: Librarian, Dr. Emil Gruenns; Curator and
Patn,Iocist Dr. John 4. Dunphy; Chemist, Prof. II.
ogden Doremu. Trustees. Dr. Max +. Elier Dr. Thomas
C. Fnnel Dr. II. H. McIyaine, DIR. Daniel 5. Riddle, Dr.
B. j. Osulyan and DR.. John c. Peters.