The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-08
DEATH IN THE SCHOOLS.

PROFESSOR FRANK II. HAMILTON TELLS THE
OPINION OF THE MEDICo-LEGAL SOCIETY ON
THE SANITARY CONDITION OF OUR PUBLIC
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
At tho annual meeting of the Mcdico Legal Society
last night addresses made by tho rot RUG presi-
dent Professor Frank II. Hamilton, N. D., Ii. d.
Dr. Hamilton, In his address. gave resume OF the
papers road before the society during tho and Of
the DISCUSSIONS that ensacd Tncn he thought It his
duty to explain why much attention had boon given
10 tho subject OF school hygiene IL was now moro
than year, he said. since this subject brought
TO the attention Of tho society By q mcmber-Dr. r.
J. O'sulvan-and since then as result OF direct
inspections, and through various communi ca.ions
Information had accumulated, and tho conviction
had forced itself upon the society that the
condition Of our schools is, In certain
respects, bad, very bad. and that some
remedy ought 10 DO speedily applied.
Tho evils wero bric1y-ovcrcrowding espe-
cialy In the primary departments imperfect ventila
ton, bad arrangement OF tho light, faulty construc
ton and dangerous proximity OF the water closets;
too long confinement IN the school rooms admission
OF thousands OF children at age when they ought
to DO in tho nursery Mt play-namely between the
ages Of four and years. OF whom there IL, 600
In our school houses insufficient and unsuitable play
grounds the construction OF large expensive buildings
on ANAL lots SO that little or no space Is left on
elthcr sido Tor ligh. or air. "Moss OF these
evils" said Or. Hamilton, 'arc remediabe
once, under proper laws aud intelligent
siministration, whic somo Of them can only DO
Nsmedlcd new buildings constructed and the old
ones are abandoned. We are informed that the Board
OF Education has hitherto paid no attention to the
Pcaied complaints sent to IT by tho Board OF HEALTH
but that tho the medical inspectors ho have
been from time TO timo detailed Tor this special SER
rico by the Board Of Health, have been passed
hced; at least they have provoked neither reply nor
lction. The evils complained Of not remcded,
iocs tho Board OF Health attempt 50 enforce action by
Ihc exercise OF It's own legitimate authority We have
and suggestions have been treated IN the same manner
as the complaints oil the Board OF Health. In Short
We are made TO understand that tho Board Q! Educa
lion does not recognize the existence Of but few, II
any Of The evils 70 which have referred.
FLAIN srEAKIyo.
II such Is tho fact then think, said the Professor,
The members Of this society, and probably all who
have made themselves acquainted with tho hygiene
condition OF common schools, VIII say that tho
Board Of Education, as at present constituted, is
either incompetent to judge OF what are proper SAM
Iary conditions or has taken no pains to learn the
facts or is crminay negligent in giving Information
70 the public and IN asking for hcp to enable 1t to
correct inc evils In either case with al respect 10
the gentlemen composing that Board, they not
the proper men Tor tho responsible trust imposed
upon them; nor IS II certain that tho Board Of
Health has done all It might do In this matter to
relieve itself OF tho Same imputatioD.
We ask Tor legislation to prevent the admission OF
That the city should provide 'nurseresi' Tor cnil.
dren; nut II viii DO easy TO show that our school
purposes We ask also that the Board OF Edu.
cation composed OF twenty one members, there shall
be at least one medical man, appointed with o special
view TO his competency. There ought 10 DO Two,
that there may he healthy atirition OF opinions,
that there may DO also strength OF union when their
opinions concur One oil the qualities essential 10 tho
competency" Of such appointces would be, In
OPINION backbone an ability 10 stand upright under
pressugc-a quality which Is useful everywhere In
lite, hut which becomes essential when, as in this
case, The odds greatly against There ought
be- Also ore or more medical nsr ccors independent
Of the Board OF Education, assigned exclusively to the
inspection OF school houses and TO DO entitled, uMcd-
teal Inspectors oil Public Scuool Houses Thus far
Efforts 10 secure proper legislation and 10 influence
pal acton have failed but 30 far the Legislature
Is concerned, at least, without encourage
ment / mistake, however, the temper of this socl-
ETY. and OF those who have been most active in tho
matter II there any disposition to relnquIsh the Of
Tort The interests involved are too vast-the inter-
ssts OF more than one hundred thousand children
evils great and the encouragement rs too
liberal TO warrant suspension OF our Efforts Parents
constantly urge US to renewed exertions, school
teachers receive with open arms and beg not 10
withdraw our hands, and the public press. win al
10 continue the seIfappointca champion
and friend OF children. We have no interest IN tho
schools winch cvcry citizen has THIS largo body
lawyers aud pb yslcans is not seeking to entertain
itself pubic with dramatic representa-
tons; want no places, cttncr 0f cn1oIumcnt or
honor; we have no political cnds TO subscrvc, but
believe have discovered great defects school
system, and determined that, IL possible they
shall be rcmodied Let u be fully understood by all
who interested, aud especially by those VINO, In
their long personal experience and endurance OF tho
evils have become weary Of waiting, that we arc In
earnest, and that VIC hope and in,end TO succeed.