Evening star., 1899-10-10
STATISTICS OF CHILDREN
Influence of School Life Being Investi-
gated systematically.
The Questions Asked n Fixed Number
of PupfIs-TrOubIe About
Two Questions.

MeClCdi men ana educators generally are
looking forward with great expectation to
theSstatistical report of the Medical Society
of the District of Columbia On the influence
of school life upon children.
Some time ago the subject of an exam
ination of the children of the public schools
was considered by the Medical Society and
it was unanimously agreed such informa-
ton would be of great value. A committee
was accordingly appointed to devise ways
and means for carrying out the wishes of
the society. The first thing necessary was
to obtain the consent of the board of school
trustees, and enlist the superintendent of
the schools in the work. The board of trus-
tees promptly put its stamp of approval
on the project and Superintendent Powell
promised to give the matter his entire sup
port.
1t then became necessary to decide upon
the method of examination. After cCnsid
ering the matter at length the committee
concluded it would be sufficient t. get the
necessary data from ten pupils in each
school. five boys and five girls. This would
give % per cent of the regular attendance
and supply valuable statistics. The ques-
tions to be answered We're then agreed
upon. and, after being printed, sent to the
superintendent who, after explaining the
matter in full to each principal, supplied
them with blanks and directed strict COM
pliance herewith.
4 reporter of The Star found Superinten-
dent Powell III his office at the Franklin
building this morning at work upon this
very matter. To The Star man he said
I'VE have started in to obtain these
statistics, and | consider it most mpor-
tant matter in connection with the health
of the city. The pupils have taken to the
idea right away and are lending their infiu-
ence to make ii a success. There are sew
eral features which commend ii to the peo-
pie aside from the valGc of the statistics
obtained. In selecting the children to be
1ir1.-J 8
objection on the part Of either pupil or
parent another name is drawn The exam
ination is strictly private, and no one but
the teacher knows the names of the pupils
examined. This examination, understand,
is conducted by the lady teachers for the
female pupils and by the male teachers for
the boys.
Here is a list of the queries If there is
objection to answering any of them they
are passed over:
'Withdrawals since October II. 1899 on
account of ill-health name of the disease
from which each of these pupils suffered
withdra walls since October H. 1899 on ac-
count of inability to do school work: all
other Withdrawals since October II. 1850;
transferred to other schools since October
II. 1880; died since October H. 1899: name
of the disease causing each death; total
number of school davs each pupil out of
school since October II, 1S99 on account of
sickness: name of disease from which each
pupil suffered; all other school days each
pupil out of school since October IL, 1889;
increased in weight since October II, 1880;
decreased in weight since October H. 1893;
increased in height since October II, 1899;
decreased in measurement of chest since
October II, 1899: increa sed in measurement
of chest since October II, 1899; increase in
measurement of chest during deep inspira-
ton since October II, 1899; decrease in
measuI enlen' of chest during deep inspira-
ton since October II. 1899: increase in
measurement around the hips since Octo-
ber II, 1899: decrease in measurement
arr md he Ing Cir, not0 01ay
pulse, number of beats increased per min
ute since October II, 1899; pulse, number
of beats decreased per minute since Octo-
Der IL, 1893; respiration, number of increas-
ed respiI ations per minute since October
II, 1899; respiration, number Of decreased
respirations since October II. 1892 defec-
tive eyesight defective hearing; defective
speech; other perceptible mental or bodily
defect, nature of this bodily or mental de-
feet; appetite poor; sleep insufficient or dis
turbed; headache. occasional; headache,
frequent; nOsebleed. occasional: nosebeed,
frequent; cough, occasional; cough fire.
quent; backache. occasional: backache, fire.
quent: age when menstruation first begun;
irregular menstruation painful menstrual
ton: healthy robust in appearance: fra1l,
sickly or nervous in appearance: number
of times each pupil detained during recess
or after school for missed lessons since
November H. 1899; number of times each
pupil detained during recess or after
school for misconduct since October IL.
1892 number of days each pupil received
health exercise during school hours since
October II, 1899; average time per day
devoted to these exercises by each pupil:
number of hours usually devoted to school
lessons by each pupil at home; number
of hours usually devoted to other lessons
by each pupil at home; time that can be
devoted to mental work before symptoms
of fatigue appear; becomes very tired usu-
ally before school Is dismissed in the after
noon; has tuberculosis has scrofula.' For
these last two questions physicians GER
tificate is required.
I'VE have had some few complaints"
continued Mr.. Powell, regarding these
last two questions l cannot say whether
it is because physicians certificate is
required and the parent fears 1t will be
an expense or the dread of having the
child know he is afflicted. We have not
insisted upon the questions, and l cannot
see how we can very well. The other de-
tails are being complied with. and l have
no doubt the result Of the investigation
will rebound to the good of the public
school system"