The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-13
HEALTH OF THE SCHOOLS.
SUDt. Ashmore's Efforts TO Prevent
Spread of Contagious Diseases.

SUDt. Ashmore's Efforts to Prevent
Spread of Contagious Diseases.
THE health of the children in the schools
is something I intend looking out for" said
Superintendent Ashmore yesterday. land
1 win not hesitate to refuse re-admission
into the schools to any child who has been
suffering from any contagious disease from
which he has not, in my opinion, fully re-
covered. He may come back with physi-
clans certificate of perfect recovery, but
I will not recognize it unless there is no
question in my mind as to the safety of
the other children with whom he will be
thrown. 1t is a matter of too vast i'm
portance to be lightly treated, and 1 shall
certainly exercise the greatest care, as l
have in the past to see that nothing in the
shape Of contagion finds its way into the
school"
The superintendent had not long before
been compelled to send child away from
school, Notwithstanding a physicians GER
tifcate that showed recovery. Scarlet fe-
yer had been the trouble, and the skin
had not ceased to peel from the child when
she made her appearance at the school
The matter was reported to the superin-
tendent and he at once decided that there
was too great an element of danger in the
child being allowed to remain.
Superintendent Ashmore is anxious to
have physicians understand fully that no
re-entrance to the schools can be gained
unless all chance of other children con-
tracing disease through association shah
have passed. He has had a consultation
with Health officer LeHardy about the
matter and both are agreed that It is of
too great importance for any chances to
be taken. If there seems to be any such
necessity as the occurrence referred to
suggested to him, Mr.. Ashmore says he
may insist upon a physicians certificate
being vlsed by the health officer before a
child can be re-admitted into the schools.
Scarlet fever and diphtheria are the con-
tagious diseases that are now keeping a
few children out of the schools. There are
about ten or twelve cases of both in the
city, and children living in the houses
where persons are suffering from the dis
eases are not allowed to return to school
until all danger of infection is over.
The superintendent daily receives a re-
port from the health officer showing those
who have contagious diseases, and where
they live. He makes a number of copies
and sends one to each of the principals.
IL there should be any pupil in his school
from the house shown in the report, he is
sent home, with instructions not to return
until he can bring a certificate to the eff
feet that all danger of infection is passed.
The reports also bear mention of those
cases that have been discharged, and from
this the principals can see whether child
may re-enter without danger to the others.
Superintendent Ashmore says there have
been cases to come to his attention, in
which criminal blame might be attached
to the parents of children, who have in
sisted on their attending school despite
the presence of disease in their homes.
One boy was sent away from one of the
schools not long ago on account of case
of diphtheria in his home. A day or two
later the superintendent heard that the
boy was back, and he went out to see
about it, He had the young man stopped
on his way to school. and promptly turned
back home.
During the time Mr.. Ashmore has been
superintendent there has never been any
contagion spread from the schools, and he
says he intends TO continue his efforts to
prevent such thing ever occurring.