The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-02-15
PARTIAL SUCCESS.
Medical inspection of the Public
Schools.
Dissemination of Some of the Parents to
Cooperate, Prevents Complete
Success.

The plan of giving the scholars Of
the public schools free medical ex-
animation is being followed but the
object OF the examination has been
thwarted to a considerable extent
through the failure of the weaker ones
to present themselves to take it.
The parents are first notified of the
examination and the matter is ex-
planned to them with the request that
they give their permission to have
their children examined. Between
sixty and seventy per cent of the
scholars are receiving permission from
their parents to be examined, but it
has been the experience thus far that
the scholars that it was deemed would
be benefited most by an examination
are among those that are not allowed
to take it, while the strong, healthy
ones present themselves, proud of their
physique and of the reports which they
are able to receive from the physicians.
Thus far the examination has been
confined to the fifth grade, one room
being examined at the high school
building each Friday forenoon. There
is but one more room in this grade to
be examined, and then some other
grade will be taken.
Of those examined, nearly all were
found to be in perfect physical con-
dition. A few cases of defective eye
sight or hearing were found and were
reported to the parents that steps
may be taken to counterfeit the defects
before they become more serious.
1t seems to US that parents of the
Trailer children are making a mistake
in not, allowing them to be examined.
1t would certainly be satisfaction to
know that there is nothing the matter
with them, if this is the case. If
there is something the matter with
them, the sooner it is known the bet
ter, in order that the children may be
given the proper treatment and have
the same show in life as their stronger
companions. Tt ought to be more sat
isfactory to parents to have sound,
vigorous children than that the latter
be handicapped by something which
they know not what. Some very
simple treatment might remove an
obstacle in the chlids path, or a period
of rest and out Of door exercise might
bring back the color to his cheeks
The physician knows best what to do
for the ailing ones. If the eyes or
ears need treatment or there is stub
born cough, the sooner treatment is
had the better and safer it will be for
the child through the remainder of
his life.
The plan of medical inspection of
the Minneapolis public schools was in
augurated this week under the direc-
tion of the board of education. At
conference between the members of the
committee on rules of the board and
the health commissioner of the city,
the latter declared that his depart
ment would aid the project in every
way in its power. He had no legal
right to make any of the. volunteer
inspectors members of his staff, he ex-
planned, and therefore they would have
no legal power beyond that conferred
by the board of education, He be-
lieved in the movement, and thought
it would be of great assistance to his
department in keeping contagious
diseases down to a minimum, and he
promised his hearty cooperation in
every way possible.
Lincoln exercises were held in most
of he rooms Tuesday. They were
not elaborate. but more of a spon-
taneous nature, not taking any of the
time of the scholars from their studies
for preparation.
The schools will mostly be in session
as usual on Washington s birthday, and
there will be some Washington exer-
cises, but nothing elaborate or taking
up the time of the scholars.
The young men who were suspended
from the high school have made ample
apologies for their misconduct and
have been received back. They are
now showing a good spirit and will no
doubt prove to be among the best
students in the school,