The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-11-19
THE STATES SCHOOL HOUSES.
Teachers Requested to Tell the
Board of Health About Them.
Especial TO the Press. /

AUGUSTA, Nov 1.-THE State depart
ments of education and public health are
sending out the blanks employed in the
making of sanitary survey of the school
buildings in the State, to the school officers
for distribution to the teachers. 1t, of course,
will not be practicable to have survey of
every school house made this fall. is.
therefore, asked that discretion be exercised
as to when the blanks shall be placed in the
hands of the teachers, this fall or next year,
not later than the spring or summer terms.
Reports will be forwarded directly to the
State Board of Health. There are fifty-two
interrogations to be answered as follows:
Size of house. Is 1t brick or wood? How many
stories? Has it cellar? III so, state its condi
ton. How many school rooms (class rooms)
Size Of each school loom? To what point of the
compass ss does the building front9 Height Of cell
Size OF glass: How many panes TO lhe window?
Are the windows to the right or left, behind or in
ifost s ot me scholars? How high are the window.
well drained land? Is the house well ventilated.
How ventilated? Size of fresh air inlet. How
Size of foul air Ducts I Size % Of foul foul air ae Is
yentilating fiue heated. If so, how? Is the room
well heated. and how? If. by stoves, are they
blackboards are used? Are the blackboards
placed between the windowsq II NOT. what
direction are they from the windows? Are the
surfaces in good condition. What is the source
Of the water supply. If from wells, are they
situated near any priyy vaults, stables, sink
drains, or cess-pools? Give distance Do you
believe the water to be pure and healthful? What
arrangements for supplying the scholars with
water in the school room? Are there any privies
order?. Have they vaults? How often are they
cleaned or disinfected? Is fresh, dry earth used
In them frequently daily? How many feet from
school house? Are they separate for the sexes?
II water closets are In use, in what condition are
they kept? Are they always flushed with ar
abundance of water? Are they odorless, and
what means of disinfection are in use? Are there
any offensive or dangerous nuisances near the
ward or inward, and lhow quickly can the entire
Dullolng be cleared Of pupils? In what year wa:
the school house built? Is it suitable house fol
the district? How many pupils can be comfort
ABLY seatea IN tne mouse, and what form Of seats
Is used? What Is the average daily attendance.
Are there curtains or blinds to the windows? ii
so, what? What is the length of the forenoon
and afternoon sessions? Do you have recess?
How long? Mhat suggestions can you make Il
improve the hygienic condition of the school?
In addition to answering the questions The
teacher is requested to make plan of the
house and surroundings, on paper. The
size Of the yard and the distance of any
nuisance outside the yard may be estimated
An illustrated plan accompanies the blank
to show the teacher how to proceed. There
are not many samples of water coming il
for analysis at the present time, as Or
Young is advising parties not to FORWARD
them as, by reason of heavy rains, the usua
conditions of the water are not shown.
DIR. Young left for Milwaukee to
night to attend the annual meeting Of tn
American Health Association.