The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-05

/ The Health Officer Of the District viii
make another attempt during this session
of Congress to have bill passed which
Will authorize the medical inspection OF
the pupils OF the public schools. This sub
ject Is one wkieh has been discussed at
some length by abe various citizens asso-
Citations in the District, and it has also
been brought TO the attention Of the Com
missioHers through several special reports
On the matter by the Health Officer. In
number Of cities the system which DR.
Woodward desires TO have adopted here
has been tried and has been found to work
with remarkable success.
Que OF the first States % take the mat
Ter under consideration was Rhode Island
and school inspection formed topic or
discussion at the meetings OF the State
board Of health. After going over the
ground thoroughly the health authorities
came 20 the conclusion that the medical
inspection OF the school children was the
only manner in which disease could be
checked and its appearance prevented. IN
order 90 obtain the daily inspection OF
piny large corps OF skilled physicians
who should visit the schools each morning
and make report 10 the health officer.
IN the territory on which the Rhode Isl
and authorities based their calculations. the
city Of Providence. there were %. $50 schol-
airs attending the puhlic schools. II is es-
timuted that az least thirty physicians
would be required to thoroughly cover all
el the districts In Washington allotting
four schools TO each physician. The time
required in the inspection Viii not exceed
hail an hour IN the morning and the pre-
EminAry work 10 the examination is 90 b,
done 10y the teacher.
She may observe child with a piece "
red flannel wound around his OF her neck
and which must have been placed there for
some reason. usually on account OF sore
throat 4 child may appear more than
usually flushed or listiess. in these cases
enquiry should be made OF the scholar. ac-
ccrdiug 20 the instructions which q Is in
tended 30 Issue With these Instructions
the teacher may at once ascertain the
cause o. the indisDOsition as far as the
child is able 20 give IL. ana II in her Opin-
ion the child is really sick he ar she win
be sent 10 the r,--m where the inspection
is made and wait for Jhe Inspector 10 make
his rOuuds.
Ia the list OF questions 20 be put 10 the
scholars there are several which are said
10 be- o. great Importance. Enquiries are
10 be made regarding sickness at the
homes OF the scholars. They are 70 be
closely questioned regarding the existence
OF measles mumps OF chickenpox o. other
contagious disease. The members OF fami-
lies having such diseases IN their midst
shcall be kept ott OF school and unless the
enquiry Is made there Ia no WAY for the
authorities 10 find out about the matter.
II is expected that there VIII be.OpPosiJiOa I
~
90 the strict adherence OF the inspectors 20 I
the rules which are 10 be proposed. a ma I
lority. however. viii favor the plan. DR.. I
Woodward hopes.
The system now in force in New York /
requires he inspectors 10 report 10 the I
schools 20 which they have been assigned /
between So and 900 n N. each morning
that school sessions are held They are r. /
CURED 90 carefully examine each child that 4
has been isolated - m teachers IN charge /
and cause 20 be excluded from the school 4
each one affected with or showing svmp- /
toms Of any contagious or infectious dis !
ease. more especially those o. violent /
type.
Each Of the pupils who are excluded |
is furnished with a printed card upon /
which Is noted the name. date and location |
OF the school. together with the name. age
and address % the child. and the reason /
for its exclusion These cards are signed I
by the inspectors. ard are taken home by /
the pupils Each day after leaving the 4
schools 10 which he Is assigned. the inspec- I
tor makes out report giving the name
date. and location Of the school. the num-
Der OF children examined. and the time con-
sumcd in the examination. together with
any remarks the inspector may deem fit TO
make on any OF the cases
All of the children excluded from the |
schools are visited. within tweuty-four
hours Of the time they we're first exam
ined. by the uiaguOStiCiau Of the school
board. who re-eXamines the cases. and II /
he deems IL necessary to keep the child
out OF school postal card is mailed to the 1
school notifying the principal Of the action
taken. When the child has recovered and !
the rooms at his home have been fum1- !
GATED and disinfeCted 4 certificate is is /
sued By the inspector. or visiting physician /
and the pupil Is permitted TO resume his (
studies
This Is the system which II is the irte0- (
ton OF the Health Oficer TO have adopted I
here If he can secure the necessary funds /
20 carry out his plans. Almost every one Of
the citizens association endorse the plan 1