Evening star., 1898-07-06

the ordinary precautions to be observed,
assuming always that the school building
is properly constructed, ventilated, lighted,
heated and hygienically furnished, and
everything done to keep the children in
that vigorous and healthy condition in
which they are least susceptible to disease
of any kind. But above all such preventive
measures should DE mentioned the medical
inspection of school children. By means
OF this system serious epidemiCS may be
nipped in the bud, the general health and
cleanliness of the scholars be greatly i'm
proved and very great influence be eX-
erted on the sanitary education of the COM
mCnity. Obviously medical inspection re-
qures the thoughtful cooperation of the
teachers. and a generous amount of tact
on the part of the inspectors. In Boston
and New York the system has been in
operation for some time with great success
and has met with almost universal ap-
proval.
Value of Inspection.
Among important Improvements in school
buildings, suggested by the practical work
ing of medical inspection has been the
school bath room, as SO many of the poorer
children do not have access to proper bath
ing facilities.
A late feature in Boston has been the ex-
animation OF the children's heads for pedi-
cieli, and in at least one case 50 per cent
of the children in one room We're found to
be pedicular. DR.. Durgin deserves much
credit not only for conceiving the idea, but
for carrying it out amidst many pyotesta-
tions and much opposition.
While not intending to lose sight of many
of the other features of school hygiene and
sanitation, nor detract from their value
and Importance, il is the purpose of this
paper to emphasize above all this matter
of medical inspection, as it is one of the
greatest preventive measures so far de-
vised.
The Program Tonight.
The council will meet again tonight at 8
o'clock, when the relation of psychology n
its various aspects to education will be con-
sidered by Prof. Josiah Royce OF Harvard,
United States Commissioner of Education
VIM. T. Harris and Prof. Leghtner Wilmer
OF the University of Pennsylvania. A dis
cussion by the members OF the council will
follow.
The officers Of the national council are:
Charles De Garmo president; VIM. F.
King, Mount Veniere, Ind, vice president;
Miss Bette A. Dutton, Cleveland, Ohio,
secretary, with an executive committee
consisting of these officers: b. A liens
dale of Ann Arbor. Mich; J. II. Phillips Of
birmingham, Ala; C. II. Reyes Berkely
Cal, and Walter l.. Hervey, New York
There are sixty members, some of which
are elected by the association and others
by the council itself
Secretary Dutton.
No member of the council is more popu-
lar, or is any more energetic in the work OF
furthering its objects, than Miss Bette A
Dutton of Cleveland, the capable secre-
tary. She mas been life member of the
N E. A. since 1880. For several terms she
was in charge of the programs OF the ale-
mentary department, and at Nashville, in
1883, she read paper on discipline in EI-
ementary Schools" III which she urged less
of Journalism and a more homelike school
atmosphere; with only such conformity to
the cOnVentiOQalitieS as is essential 10 he
accomplishing of best work, and with the
same standards of conduct as are every
where prevalent in cultivated society. She
Was chosen president of the elementary de-
,arfp in