The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-24
SANITARY REFORM IN OUR PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
TFrom the Medical Record. |

The recent articles on school hygiene in the NEW
York HERALD calculated to do much good in CALI
ing the attention of the public to this important SUBJ
jec Notwithstanding all that has been said concern
ing the necessity for reform and the means which
have been tried to bring about such result, the
schools are, from sanitary point of view, very little
If any improved. Strange to say, where the most
substantial aid should have been expected in efforts
to benefit the school children the strongest oppose
ton has been encountered. The Board OF Education
has directly and indirectly, thrown every obstacle
in the way Of placing the schools on better
actuated bx zeal in the matter which
cannot, on general principles. be explained.
lively binders the efforts of every else And yet
this is the kind of government to which the sanitary
welfare OF 100. 900 school children il intrusted.
SO much has been said on the necessity OF improve
ing the sanitary condition of the schools and OF car
ing for the hygenc interests of the school children
that appears almost like useless reiteration to refer
to the subject again But more and moro
impressed with the fact that continual agitation of
the question beginning to bear fruit. The Medico-
Legal Society of this city. has investigated the SUBJ
ject on its account, and. result, has taken
decided stand in favor of radical Change the pres
ent school management. Through its fundamentally
valuable suggestions have been offered urgent appeals
have been made for medical representation on the
school board, and. lastly laws have been framed to
meet the emergencies OF the hour.
The subject has been discussed in the Legislature.
the daily press has used its powerful influence in the
right direction. devong column after column to tho
exposure OF the unsantary condition OF the school
houses: In fact the tide OF opinion outside oil tho
educational board to be only in direction
All that appears to be necessary is to change the
opinion Of the board in questions change which
does to be possible unless the board itself is
replaced This is OF course, not to be expected under
its present political management. What may be done
by the Mayor remains to be seen.
II will be recoccted that during the last Legsia-
turc bill was passed limiting the minimum aye Of
attendance Of school children five years. This APP
pcarcd well enough upon its face, but the HERALD
very significantly asks whose business it is to that
the law is enforced. The Board Of Educa-
ton has certainly not acted in the matter.
as the majority of the teachers have not
even been informed OF the existence Of
such law. The consequence Is that children under
the specified age admitted almost without qucs-
ton and certainly without any active interference.
Tho class rooms crowded ever. contagious
diseases freely propagated. inspections Of the
proper officials few and far between as to
amount TO nothing and the principals draw their
salaries in proportion to the average attendance OF
pupils. When consider in the face Of these facts.
that the Board OF Education is the opposing influence
70 the reforms which necessary, there not
sion for congratuation that the HERALD has turned
the influence Of its powerful advocacy in the right d.
rcction and is leading public opinion in the direction
of demanding what IL has heretofore merely socitedY
The Board OF Education says that tho sanitary condi
ton of the schools perfect. But what terrible
sponsibty IL assumes in so doing Is best realized by
those who practically acquainted with the state OF
affairs, especially In the primary departments OF
the schools In question.