Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-18

Interest IN the relationship Det"SeH tHe
public school curriculum and the physical
condition of pupils Is strongly revived by
the ayowal of The Medical Society of the
District of its full responsibility for the
questions recently asked the children. The
work in connection with the schools in
augurated a couple Of seasons ago by the
Medical Society was very generally APP
proved Parents felt the need Of occasional
supervision of school conditions by physi-
clans 1t was recognized that there should
he at least a systematic examination of the
threats and eyes of children subjected to
the strain of study and the danger of con-
tagion.
But when it was discovered that the Med
ical Society had enlarged the scope of its
inquiry and was asking questions which
could not possibly bear upon the legitimate
business of physical inspection. the public
grew righteously indignant. The question
of responsibility is not very material
If the Medical Society took the initiative 1t
of course must stand the brunt of the de-
Tense of its course. while the public will
continue to condemn the complaisant
school authorities who permitted them
selves to he utilized to these improper ends.
The real issue is as to the propriety of the
inquisition. On that point the sentiment of
the parents of the District is unanimous IN
condemnation. and the explanation by the
Medical Society of the reasons for its
course in no degree softens this feeling.
The offensive features of the inquiry en-
brace those questions which pertain to the
hereditary and moral influences which af-
feet the pupil. 1t is to be admitted that the
child may profitably be watched during the
period of physical and mental development,
to check untoward tendencies, to adjust the
school tasks and conditions to the capacity
of nature to withstand the strain of con-
fnement. discipline and study. But the
child should be accepted as an individual
unit. not with reference to its home sur
roundings or to its hereditary Influences.
Such an inquiry trends Immediately upon
the province of sociology and philosophy
and can have only a remote bearing upon
the direct object in view. that of avoiding
the crampins and burdening of the child as
it exists in the sight of teacher and physi-
clan. Meanwhile the questions as to hered-
ity and nfarai conditions at home offend
pupil parent and teacher alike. The child
is huuiliatei the parent betrayed or out
ragged. the teacher embarrassed. The dam
age done can never be repaired.
It Is unfortunate that In its zeal and per-
haps its desire to experiment the Medical
Society should have cast discredit upon it's
own legitimate enterprise and perhaps
made 1t GifIic 1T to secure full public con-
sent later to a resumption of this work on
rational lines under the reorganized school
system. Happily, however the matter is
III ought to a focus at such time as to per-
nit Il perfect understanding before the oc-
casion arises to put in practice whatever
new and acceptable process Of physical
school supervision may be adopted by the
new board of educa ton. Meanwhile the Med
ical Spciety's avowal of responsibility for
the abandoned inquiry makes it absolutely
clear that whatever is done later must be
on the sole accountability of the board Of
education whom the public hencefOrth will
have reason to regard the guardians of
the schools in fact as well as in name.