Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-28
VISIT THE COLLEGE.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCHOOLS
TAKES AN INSPECTING TOUR.
ARE SHOWN THROUGH TIE HOSPITAL.
An Afternoon Session Of the body
mt which Several Measures Are
Considered-work of tho House
Committees.
Committees.

The House Committee on Schools and
Colleges yesterday morning visited the
Medical College of Virginia. and tho
roughly inspected that institution. Those
Of the corps OF physicians who were at
the college at the time Of the visit es-
corted the legislators through the va
rious departments and explained fully
the methods OF instruction. Every mem
Der could not help but be impressed with
the perfect system i'm use at the institu-
ton and clocklike regularity with which
the daily routine OF. work is carried out.
When the dissecting-room was reached
a few Of the members of the committee
were rather inclined to be backward. and
none of them were too anxious 10 enter.
They did so. much as a man would enter
room in which he thought there was
a lion in hiding, which would spring sud
denly upon him when he crossed the
threshold. Once in the place, however
they found that the sight of the dozen or
more students. all busy dissecting the
human body. was not so bad after ALL
and only one gentleman limited that
little brandy just then would be OF great
benefit to him.
INSPECT THE HOSPITAL.
The hospital was the most interesting
department visited. The absolute cleanl.-
ness and tidiness of every inch Of space
in the wards; the noiseless tread with
which the nurses in snowwhite caps and
aprons moved about, and the spirit OF
cheerfulness pervading among the pa
tents although they lay on beds OF sick
ness. made quite an impression upon the
members of the committee, and many
favorable comments were heard.
The operating-room was the last place
visited This room is constructed upon
the most approved and latest scientific
principles, and no apartment could posi-
bly, be better adapted for the purposes
for which this is used.
The committee then left, after thanking
the officers and physicians Of the institu-
tions for the courteses extended, and
reached the hall OF the House of Dele
gates just in time to be IN their seats
when the Speaker called the body to
order.
THE COMMITTEE IN SESSION.
The committee held a meeting in the
afternoon and considered at length Mr.
isaac Diggs's bill to amend and re-enact
section 1897, Code of Virginia prescribing
what shall be taught i'm the public schools
of the State, and also to provide how
textbooks shall be selected. Judge Wat
kins advocated the striking out of the
section making the board accept the
lowest bid for furnishing books, but af-
ter considerable discussion it was deter
mined to report the bill without further
amendment than that after the wore
government in line 4, made by
inserting the words land the nature OF
alcoholic drinks and other narcotics, anC
their effects on the human system to-
gether with physiology and hygiene
1t was suggested that more discretion
should be given the board in making
their choice of bids before them. but
in reply to this. 1t was shown that the
original bill gave all the latitude neces
sary, in that it gave its members the
right to reject any and all the bids, and
to advertise for others.
MR.. MAUPIN'S BILL
A special bill, offered by Mr.. Maupin
to require the study of the laws of ply
siology and hygiene, including those con
corning the nature of alcoholic drink:
and other narcotics and their effect:
upon the human system, by the pupil!
tional institutions under State control, Of
supported wholly or in part by public
money. was next considered. This bill
explicitly prescribes the extent to which
the study shall be/prosecuted, and, lik'
the two bills which preceded IT, and e
which objection was made, 1t provides
for the expulsion of the teacher who re
fuses to teach it. Judge Watkins advo
Gated the right of any class TO come an'
ask for such legislation. and Mr.. Duke
of Albemarle. opposed it. on the grount
that 1t failed TO repose rightful conf
| Gence i'm the teacher. Mr.. Carter, o.
| Scott, advocated the bill as a measur
setting forth a subject which was worthy
| of prominence greater than that giveI
| by placing it in the general law. Mr.
| Campbell, of Amherst, opposed the bill
| IN a few practical remarks.
1t was then decided to report the bil
| unfavorably, which was done.